Tobacco and Obesity Epidemics: Not So different After All?

BMJ volume 328, pp 1558-60

Global strategies similar to those used against the tobacco industry are
needed to tackle the obesity epidemic, argue researchers in this week's
British Medical Journal (BMJ) [24 June 2004].

Diets across the globe are being shaped by a concentrated and gloval
food industry that is fiercely resisting public health attempts to
promote healthy eating, write the authors.

The food industry tactics are similar to those used by the tobacco
industry - supplying misinformation, use of supposedly conflicting
evidence and hiding negative data.

Firstly, there is the half true contention that there is no such thing
as an unhealthy food, only unhealthy diets. Secondly, the industry
contends that the problem is not the excessive diet, but the reduction
in physical activity.

Thirdly, the industry uses a smoke screen of apparently conflicting
scientific data about sugars and different types of fat. "Although
scientific knowledge is still incomplete, it is less divided than the
industry would have the public believe," say the authors.

Advocates for tobacco control have used a variety of tactics in their
campaign that could have relevance for the fight against unhealthy
diets, suggest the authors.

"It will be much more difficult to establish internationally binding
instruments or conventions like those achieved in toabcco control.
Nevertheless, their importance in bringing about changes in national
behavior should not be under-rated," they say.

Potential international standards might cover issues such as marketing
restrictions for unhealthy food products, restrictions ofn the
advertising and availability of unhealthy products in schools, or
potential price or tax measures to reduce the demand for unhealthy products.

"The public attention generated by the discussion and formulation of
such standards may set general standards for corporate conduct without
being potentially unacceptable and even generate enough political
capital for national legislation," they conclude.

Contact: Emma Diskinson:
44-204-383-6529
BMJ-British Medical Journal

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A little old, but still interesting. Anybody have direct access to the
BMJ to read the actual text and any follow-up since publication?
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