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].  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?  The link between policy and obesity is not well understood[1].  

Responsibility is already being explored, for example food advertising to children and policy changes around that issue. 

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. 

Research is needed to guide policy makers and reinvigorate the historical links between urban planning and public health [3]. 

Lake AA, Townshend TG, Ogilvie JA

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

Lang, T. and G. Rayner, Obesity: a growing issue for European policy?
10.1177/0958928705057263. Journal of European Social Policy, 2005. 15(4): p. 301-327.

Downloadable resources

Unfit for purpose: How car use fuels climate change and obesity

Links

Lang, T., G. Rayner, and E. Kaelin, The Food Industry, Diet, Physical Activity and Health: a Review of Reported Commitments and Practice of 25 of the world’s Largest Food Companies. 2006, Centre for Food Policy, City University London. Read more here

World Health Organization, Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity. European Charter on Counteracting Obesity. 2006: Istanbul, Copenhagen. Read more here

Brug, J., The European charter for counteracting obesity: A late but important step towards action Observations on the WHO-Europe ministerial conference, Istanbul, November 15-17, 2006 International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2007. 4: p. 11.
Read more here

Physical Activity and Health - EU Platform for Action. Read more here

Commission of the European Communities, Green Paper: Promoting healthy diets and physical activity: a European dimension for the prevention of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases. 2005: Brussels. Read more here

European Commission. Combating obesity in Europe. 2007. Read more here

Department of Health, Choosing Health: making healthier choices easier. Public Health White Paper. 2004: Crown. Read more here

Department of Health, Delivering choosing health: making healthier choices easier. 2005: London. Read more here

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