In this paper, we investigate the effects of trade in foods on obesity in Mexico. To do so, we match data on Mexican food imports from the U.S. with anthropometric and food expenditure data. Our findings suggest that exposure to food imports from the U.S. explains four percent of the rise in obesity prevalence among Mexican women between 1988 and 2012. Pro-obesity effects are more pronounced in areas receiving more unhealthy food imports. We also find that food imports may widen health disparities between education groups. By linking trade flows to obesity, the paper sheds light on an important channel through which globalisation may affect health.
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