Tough times inspire belt-tightening, or so the popular notion
goes, but scientists who study public health say they’re worried
that a slumping economy will make American waistlines wider than
ever. Rising unemployment, higher food prices and dwindling
savings may exacerbate the nation’s obesity problem, sending
already high rates ballooning as consumers turn to cheaper, less
healthful choices ranging from boxed mac ‘n’ cheese to fast-food
dollar menus. “All evidence suggests that obesity is the toxic
consequence of a failing economic environment,” said Adam
Drewnowski, a professor of epidemiology at the University of
Washington in Seattle. As households struggle with falling
incomes and with food prices expected to jump 6 percent this
year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families
are scrimping on groceries. Nearly six in 10 Americans said
they’ve cut back on the quality or quantity of the food they
buy, according to an annual hunger survey released this week by
Hormel Foods Corp. But that do