Shaping a healthy future: megabyte, not mega bite!

Abstract

The globalization of obesity is not a myth. Scientific and technologic advances have increased food production and availability while decreasing demand for physical activity. These developments, in turn, have contributed to peoples' cognitive and behavioral relationship with food selection and consumption. The more you see, the more you want. Although disparities in food distribution and personal economics still exist, the problem of over consumption is becoming widespread among low income groups in developed countries and among the high income in developing countries. The development of innovative technologies such as described in this chapter may help ebb the tide of obesity and improve the global future of health.