Changes required across many different policy areas
Obesity has to be seen as not just a technical, food, physical activity or healthcare problem but a challenge for what sort of society is being built. Small, incremental, publicity-driven (i.e. social market-based) changes might suit the existing balance of policy interests, but a more extensive, co-ordinated, cross-sectoral action would be more effective.
Encouraging daily physical activity and modifying dietary intake raises complex questions for public policy across a number of areas; including:
- agriculture – because policy affects what is produced;
- manufacturing – for ingredients, portions and products;
- retail – for planning, prices, availability and location;
- education – for health knowledge and skills;
- culture – for the shaping of consciousness around food and physical activity;
- trade – for product pricing and terms of trade;
- economics – for differential taxation and subsidy of foods.