Introduction

This chapter explores the nature of what has been termed the ‘obesogenic’ environment (Swinburn et al 1999). It does so in the context of the manifold and variegated efforts that try to address national and local rates of obesity in two cities in the US and UK: Austin, Texas and London. The comparison of these two national and urban settings is crucial, if only to dispel the assumption that America is distinctly and particularly obesogenic (Lang and Rayner 2007). In so doing, the chapter also aims to provide a counterpoint to related assertions that the UK ‘looks like America in every way … The question we all need to ask ourselves is, do we really want the world to look, feel and taste just like America?’ (Spurlock 2005b, n.p.). The assumption that America represents the UK's destiny may be common, but it is also highly improbable. However, and as Marvin and Medd have suggested, the turn to the exemplar of the US is useful in order to ‘see where the rest of the world is going’ (2006: 314) and, therefore, the kind of future health we might expect. However, this may be wishfully simplistic thinking; as geographic approaches to health remind us at the most fundamental level, the landscapes of risk that characterise the US health experience cannot and will not be a universal endgame.

The obesogenicity of an environment is defined by Swinburn et al as ‘the sum of influences that the surroundings, opportunities, or conditions of life have on promoting obesity in individuals or populations’ (1999: 564).