The Next Wave of Health Policy – Controlling Access to High Sugar/Fat Food & Drink?
| July 12, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Health, Policy, Research |
Comments off
|
Will strict limitations – such as those used to regulate alcohol sales – be the next step in addressing the nation’s problematic obesity rate?
Research indicates overeating, or eating the wrong things (even when better options are available), is more prevalent than lack of exercise and more strongly correlated with weight gain. For this reason, some policymakers and health experts have long wondered if strict regulation would curb unhealthy food and drink choices, similar to how the state controls alcohol purchase and consumption. Although the opinions on the long-term value of such a policy vary, both on the health and the political costs, the research shows it may be viable public policy option. So, actions such as Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban are likely to be somewhat common, somewhat soon (but hopefully nowhere near a Primanti Bros.).
Study Citation: Cohen D, Rabinovich L. Addressing the Proximal Causes of Obesity: The Relevance of Alcohol Control Policies. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:110274. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110274.
Recent Comments