Dear forum participants, dear FAO,
In answer to question 1, we would like to flag the useful resources on the World Obesity Federation website, including a map-based interactive database of policies and interventions related to obesity, available at http://www.worldobesity.org/resources/policies-and-interventions/.
In addition, the World Cancer Research Fund International website has a database of specific policy actions being taken to promote healthy diets, available at http://www.wcrf.org/int/policy/nourishing-framework.
In answer to questions 2 and 3, one of the issues that must be addressed is to ask why some policies are failing and especially who might be resisting the introduction of health-promoting policies. From the experiences gained in Mexico (imposing taxes and restricting advertising of snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages), New York City (e.g. beverage potion sizes), France (taxes on beverages), and many other regions, it is clear that commercial interests in these products will resist attempts to restrict their marketing activities and market expansion plans, as this is not in their shareholders’ interests. If we are to get serious about protecting and promoting healthy diets in a rapidly globalising market for unhealthy products, then we will need to find ways of holding commercial interests fully to account for their impact on health, and find mechanisms which can effectively limit their ability to undermine health-promoting policies.
We at the World Obesity Federation look forward to seeing the results of the FAO discussion on this important topic.
Prof. Tim Lobstein