Community Development
Student Resources2009-2010 Student Essay Contest
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis announces the 22nd Annual Student Essay Contest open to all high school juniors and seniors in the Ninth Federal Reserve District.Writing Guide | Rules | Awards | Timetable | Archive
What economic factors may be contributing to the problem of obesity, and how can economics be applied to address the problem?
For almost all of the human past, the prospect of starvation was a real threat to most people. While scarcity is still the pervasive fact of economics, modern industrial economies have an abundance of low-cost food. As a result, the United States and other countries have seen an increase in rates of obesity.
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat becomes a health threat. This can have such adverse consequences as higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. In addition, some claim that increasing obesity rates inflict costs on the rest of society as well. For this reason, there might be a case for public action to reduce obesity.
The Minneapolis Fed has decided for its 22nd Annual Student Essay Contest to ask the question, “What economic factors may be contributing to the problem of obesity, and how can economics be applied to address the problem?”
Essays can explore why obesity has increased, and what sorts of policies (if any) can combat this increase. What follows is a summary of some, but not all, economic aspects of obesity. Read more
If you have any questions, contact Joe Mahon at Joseph.Mahon@mpls.frb.org or call 612-204-5254.
Writing Guide
Rules
Awards
Fifteen students in each division will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond. In addition, a first- and second-place winner will be selected from each division. The two second-place winners will each receive an additional $200 savings bond, and the two first-place winners will each receive an additional $400 savings bond. One first-place winner will be selected as the overall winner of a paid summer internship at the Minneapolis Fed. The winning essay will also be published in The Region magazine.
Contest Timetable |
||
Student essays due |
March 26, 2010 |
|
Finalists announced |
April 16, 2010 |
|
Student Workshop and Awards Program, Minneapolis, Minn. |
April 30, 2010 |
Essay Contest Archive
Related Links
External Links
