Policy

Internationally, nationally and locally, policy makers have expressed concern about the rising rates of obesity. There is a growing consensus that our environment encourages increases in food consumption and decreased physical activity [1].

The complex and multi-factorial nature of obesity requires a cross sector response, for example; climate change policy, agricultural policy, food production, sales and marketing, transportation, town planning and urban design. Prevention is the most cost-effective and feasible option [2]. An overarching and comprehensive policy approach has the potential to influence rates of obesity, by guiding individuals, being complementary to individual level interventions, influencing a higher number of people and those who are difficult to reach, shaping social norms and being cost effective [1]. If governments took the same hard-hitting approach to obesity as they have done with tobacco, would there be a difference? Research is needed to guide policy makers and reinvigorate the historical links between urban planning and public health [3].

References

  1. Rabin, B.A., T.K. Boehmer, and R.C. Brownson, Cross-national comparison of environmental and policy correlates of obesity in Europe. European Journal of Public Health, 2007. 17(1): p. 53-61.
  2. Darnton-Hill, I., C. Nishida, and W.P.T. James, A life course approach to diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Public Health Nutrition, 2004. 7(1): p. 101-121.
  3. Northridge, M., E. Sclar, and P. Biswas, Sorting out the connections between the built environment and health: a conceptual framework for navigating pathways and planning healthy cities. Journal of Urban Health, 2003. 80(4): p. 556-568.

Further reading

  1. The Royal Town Planning Institute, Delivering Healthy Communities. RTPI Good Practice Note 5. 2009. http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/6443/GPN5_final.pdf

Links

  1. Cross-Government Obesity Unit, D.o.H.a.D.o.C., Schools and Families, Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: a Cross-Government Strategy for England. 2008: London.
  2. Cross-Government Obesity Unit, D.o.H.a.D.o.C., Schools and Families, Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: one year on. 2009: London.