Obesity isn’t just a personal problem—it’s a systemic issue fueled by profit. The reality is, big food is making you fat. The food you eat, the ads you see, and even the conversations around weight and body image are all shaped by industries that benefit when you stay overweight, unhealthy, and stuck in a cycle of consumption.
Big Food is making you fat—and the government, health industry, and fitness world have little incentive to stop it. Why? Because there’s money to be made when you’re sick, tired, and desperate for solutions. And at the heart of it all is what the Bible warned us about: the love of money.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Let’s unpack how this system works and why so few are willing to fight it.
How Does Big Food Profit from Overeating?
Big Food companies engineer products to hijack your brain. They blend sugar, salt, and fat to hit what’s called the “bliss point”—a sweet spot that makes food irresistible and addictive. Think chips, soda, pastries, and frozen meals. These aren’t just tasty—they’re designed to make you overeat.
- Cheap ingredients like corn syrup and refined oils cut production costs.
- Processed foods have long shelf lives and wide profit margins.
- Aggressive marketing targets kids early to build lifelong loyalty.
The more you eat, the more they profit. And your health? That’s not their concern.
Why Would the Government Allow This?
The government subsidizes crops like corn, soy, and wheat—the backbone of processed foods. These subsidies make junk food cheaper than healthy options. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable farmers receive a fraction of that support.
But there’s more to it:
- Overweight people consume more, which fuels economic activity.
- Healthy people live longer and draw more from Social Security and Medicare after retirement—costing the system money.
- Unhealthy citizens are more dependent on pharmaceuticals and healthcare services, creating tax revenue and economic demand.
In short, sick people fuel the economy. Healthy ones live longer and cost more over time.
How the Fitness Industry Benefits from Obesity
The fitness industry thrives on transformation—but repeat customers are even more valuable than success stories.
- Overweight people are prime buyers of workout programs, fat burners, gym memberships, and quick-fix supplements.
- The cycle of losing and regaining weight (yo-yo dieting) ensures continuous business.
- Many programs are designed for short-term hype, not long-term sustainability.
If everyone reached their goals and maintained them, the industry would shrink. So instead of helping you stay healthy, it often markets temporary hope for ongoing profit.
How the Health Industry Profits from Obesity
Obesity is connected to dozens of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers. These are not only dangerous—they’re expensive.
- In 2019, obesity-related healthcare costs in the U.S. topped $173 billion.
- The pharmaceutical industry sells billions in medications to treat obesity-related conditions.
- Hospitals, clinics, and specialists benefit from chronic illnesses that require lifelong management.
You’re not just a patient—you’re a revenue stream. And the longer you’re sick, the more money the system makes.
How Society Encourages Obesity in the Name of Acceptance
Here’s the twist: while Big Food sells you junk, and the health industry profits from disease, society now punishes anyone who challenges this system by labeling them as body shamers.
We’ve gone from one extreme to another:
- Promoting body positivity has turned into celebrating dangerous levels of obesity.
- “Big is beautiful” is now a marketing slogan, used to sell more products rather than promote real health.
- People who speak about health risks or encourage weight loss are often shamed for “not being accepting.”
But acceptance and improvement are not opposites.
You can love and respect your body while also wanting to improve it. Choosing to care for your health is not self-hate—it’s self-respect. A person who chooses to eat better, move more, and lose weight isn’t rejecting who they are. They’re honoring what their body could become.
The truth is, health is wealth. Poor health is the worst kind of poverty—robbing you of energy, opportunity, confidence, and time.
Meanwhile, society distracts you with slogans and feel-good messages while quietly profiting from your poor habits.
What the Bible Says About These Systems
The Bible is clear: systems built on greed will not produce justice or health.
1 Timothy 6:10 says:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
And Proverbs 23:3 warns:
“Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”
Modern food is often deceptive. It promises convenience and comfort but delivers disease and addiction. A system built on lies needs your silence and your consumption. It wants you overweight, ashamed to change, and confused about who to trust.
What Can You Do?
Here’s how to reclaim your health from a system designed to keep you trapped:
- Eat real food. Whole, unprocessed meals satisfy hunger better and nourish the body.
- Learn to cook. Preparing meals at home gives you control over ingredients and portions.
- Move more. Walking, lifting, stretching—it all counts.
- Question labels. Just because a product says “healthy” doesn’t mean it is.
- Practice discipline. Fast, pray, and commit to habits that feed your soul and body.
Being healthy in today’s world is a revolutionary act. You’re not just changing your life—you’re resisting a system built on exploiting your cravings and insecurities.
Key Takeaways
- Big Food engineers products to keep you overeating and addicted.
- The government, fitness, and healthcare industries profit from your poor health.
- Society now silences health conversations by equating them with body shaming.
- Health is not vanity—it’s stewardship of your body.
- The Bible exposes the root of these systems: love of money.
You don’t need to hate your body to want better for it. Choosing health is choosing life—and in a world that profits from your sickness, that’s a bold and powerful stand.
