Final answer:
Government policies and consumer preferences for high-calorie foods have made processed items like potato chips cheaper than healthier options like carrots. Such policies result in economic advantages for processed food production, impacting global food production and obesity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fact that a bag of potato chips is cheaper and higher in calories than carrots is a major reason why agricultural policies favor the production of processed foods. Government policies in many cases make corn-based products cheaper, which are often used in processed snacks like potato chips. This creates an environment where processed foods are more financially accessible compared to healthier options like fruits and vegetables. Moreover, the demand for foods higher in fats and proteins over carbohydrates, as incomes rise, has implications for global food production, obesity rates, and environmental consequences. An attitude shift is necessary to address the sustainability of food sources and health implications of dietary choices.