The recent decision in Los Angeles to impose a moratorium on fast-food outlets has sparked a discussion of the root causes of obesity. Radley Balko links to an article discussing Wal-Mart's impact on prices and LA politicians' unwillingless to let the "Beast from Bentonville" into the city. Charles Courtemanche and I are working on a paper about Wal-Mart and obesity that should be finished by the end of the summer at the latest. The takeaway point is that Big Box retail and "Every Day Low Prices" do allow people to "Save More. Live Better:" they reduce obesity. A very early version the paper, which can be taken with numerous grains of salt, is here. A new and improved version of the paper (with a better title) will be available soon.