Overcoming policy cacophony on obesity: an ecological public health framework for policymakers

Lang, Tim; Rayner, Geof

doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2007.00338.x

Cited by 224 publications

(219 citation statements)

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“…In the broader context, while childhood obesity is a complex issue involving individual, societal and environmental determinants, it has been argued that addressing 'obesogenic environments' is a key opportunity for social policy on obesity (Lang and Rayner, 2007).…”

Section: Study Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective

et al. 2016

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HighlightsThis study examines the relationship between childhood obesity and coastal proximity.Results indicate that childhood obesity prevalence is lower in coastal England.However this relationship is apparent outside of, but not within, urban conurbations.Future policy initiatives could focus on improving coastal access for children. ABSTRACTChildhood obesity is one of the 21 st century's most serious global health challenges.Research suggests that better access to 'greenspace' (e.g. parks) may encourage physical activity and reduce the risk of obesity amongst children. We extend earlier work by considering childhood obesity in relation to proximity to the coast, using data from England's National Child Measurement Programme. Results suggest that although the overall prevalence of childhood obesity is slightly lower at the coast (-0.68 percentage points comparing <1km to >20km, p<0.001), the relationship depends on area type. Specifically, although a coastal proximity gradient (lower obesity rates nearer the coast) was found for rural areas and smaller cities and towns, it was not present among large urban conurbations (interaction p-value <0.001). Coastal environments and access to them are changing in many areas, and research to explore potential impacts on child health is warranted.

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Section: Study Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this to be achieved, a holistic approach may be necessary, with intervention from the individual to the international policy scale (Lang and Rayner, 2007). However, our global coasts are increasingly being threatened by pollution, unsustainable management and extreme weather events driven by climate change (Wyles et al, 2014;Bowen and Depledge, 2006).…”

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confidence: 99%

Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective

et al. 2016

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“…Rutter (19) has commented that such simple energy balance questions assume that obesity has evolved within a complicated but ultimately knowable and predictable system and can therefore be modelled and understood. In his view obesity should be treated as the outcome of a complex system with understanding and solutions unlikely to come from the perspective of individual scientific specialisms, requiring instead 'big thinking, many changes' (20) . While this may well be true, it is nevertheless important to ensure that within the 'complicated system' discussion, the detailed arguments are logical and stand up to scrutiny.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy balance and obesity: a UK perspective on the gluttonyv.sloth debate

Millward

2013

Nutr. Res. Rev.

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Obesity in the UK was assumed to have developed against a population decline in physical activity, with health messages focused on diet and exercise prevention strategies. Doubly-labelled water (DLW) studies of energy expenditure have indicated the alternative scenario that the increased obesity prevalence reflects excessive food energy intake with physical activity levels unchanged. This analysis is questionable, deriving in part from a weakness of the DLW methodology in identifying changing physical activity levels within populations of increasing body weight. This has resulted in an underestimation of the reduction in physical activity in the overweight and obese, as revealed by direct studies of such behaviour. Furthermore, a close examination of food energy supply, household food purchases and individual food energy consumption since 1955, in relation to likely estimates of current intakes indicated by simple modelling of predicted energy expenditure, identifies: (a) food energy supply as markedly overestimating energy intakes; (b) individual food energy consumption as markedly underestimating energy intakes; and (c) household food purchase data as the closest match to predicted current food energy intakes. Energy intakes indicated by this latter method have fallen by between 20 to 30 %, suggesting comparable falls in physical activity. Although unequivocal evidence for a matching UK trend in falling physical activity is limited, as is evidence that obesity follows reductions in physical activity, such a link has been recently suggested in a large prospective study in adolescents. Thus, for the UK, obesity has developed within a 'move less-eat somewhat less but still too much' scenario. A focus on both diet and exercise should remain the appropriate public health policy.

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“…Both industry self-regulation and siloed health and media policy have proven to be, ineffective policy approaches [16]. Depending on how cogently industry has presented its views governments internationally have produced varied policies on television advertising to children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do Vested Interests Maintain Outdated Policy? The Case of Food Marketing to New Zealand Children

Gauld¹

2011

TOHSPJ

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This paper examines the role of powerful vested interest groups in determining public health nutrition policy. With childhood obesity now being classified as an epidemic, television food advertising to children is a relevant case study, which is reported on in this article. The study consisted of qualitative interviews with members of the New Zealand food advertising policy community and documentary analysis of relevant submissions to two government inquiries, websites and policy documents related to food advertising to children. The findings categorised the positions of three identifiable interest groups. Each group's use of evidence and other influence strategies was examined in relation to their impact on government policy. We found the food industry to be tightly coordinated in their influence activities, public relations, partnership agreements and the creation of scientific uncertainty. Non government organisations were less coordinated in their advocacy for regulation, relying heavily on the use of scientific evidence to support their position. As a result industry groups dominated the processes to produce a policy outcome where the government was not acting in its own best economic interest, in terms of reducing the longer-term costs of obesity, or that of the public. The evidence from this study supports international recommendations for new approaches to health policymaking. Government needs to lead a collaborative process between vested interest groups to ensure industry groups do not have the upper hand. Such approaches would enable policy with positive public health outcomes.

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Overcoming policy cacophony on obesity: an ecological public health framework for policymakers

Cited by 224 publications

References 45 publications

Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective

Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective

Energy balance and obesity: a UK perspective on the gluttonyv.sloth debate

How do Vested Interests Maintain Outdated Policy? The Case of Food Marketing to New Zealand Children

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