The Evolutionary Memetics of Obesity

This article proposes a memetic approach towards the history and current high prevalence of obesity in human societies. Due to the apparent absence of genetic evolution related to obesity, a traditional gene-culture coevolutionary perspective may no longer be valid. A memetic approach helps to identify decisive historical steps in the formation of the obesogenic environment. Memetics may be even more useful for interpretating current obesity-related debates on the internet, and it may also partially explain the usually modest success of healthy lifestyle–oriented public health campaigns. Thus, the authors recommend the use of positive memetics as part of the social marketing of healthy diets and lifestyles.