Regulatory approaches to obesity prevention: A systematic overview of current laws addressing diet-related risk factors in the European Union and the United States. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sisnowski, Jana; Handsley, Elizabeth; Street, Jackie M.
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 119:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 720
• Page End: 731
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Legislation as topic -- Prevention and control -- Nutrition policy -- Overweight -- Obesity; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: Systematic database searches for laws related to obesity prevention (2004–2013). Most intervention areas discussed in literature targeted in at least one jurisdiction. Few comprehensive, multi-sectorial obesity prevention regimes. Most measures target consumer information or setting-specific nutrition standards. Limited food reformulation is a popular measure, taxation is rarely found. Abstract: High prevalence of overweight and obesity remains a significant international public health problem. Law has been identified as a tool for obesity prevention and selected high-profile measures have been reported. However, the nature and extent of enacted legislation internationally are unclear. This research provides an overview of regulatory approaches enacted in the United States, the European Union, and EU Member States since 2004. To this end, relevant databases of primary and secondary legislation were systematically searched to identify and explore laws addressing dietary risk factors for obesity. Across jurisdictions, current regulatory approaches to obesity prevention are limited in reach and scope. Target groups are rarely the general population, but instead sub-populations in government-supported settings. Consumer information provision is preferred over taxation and marketing restrictions other than the regulation of health and nutrition claims. In the EU in particular, product reformulation with industry consent has also emerged as a popular small-scale measure. While consistent and widespread use of law is lacking, governments have employed a range of regulatory measures in the name of obesity prevention, indicating that there is, in principle, political will. Results from this study may serve as a starting point for future research and policy development.