Can Grocery Ecommerce Algorithms Help the Obesity Epidemic?

Though the “algorithms rule us all” rhetoric is almost always viewed negatively, could machines help Americans overcome the obesity epidemic? News Flash! Americans are fat. I’m not just saying that as someone with an opinion, but because it’s a fact. The most recent CDC data says that 43% of American adults over the age of 20 are obese. If you pull that back a bit, 74% of American adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. It makes no sense if you think about…In America, we have highly trained health and wellness professionals, remarkable facilities, and access to newest drug innovations and technologies. So, what’s making us so unhealthy? Poor nutrition is the leading cause of mortality in the U.S. and obesity creates a total economic cost of 1.7 trillion dollars. While living in the Information Age and Endless Aisle Age can be positive factors in the fight against obesity, they can also create negative effects. Too much information. Too many food choices. Marketers have unparalleled access. You get the point…But, how can technology help Americans that are drinking from the firehose of information and drowning in food options?