A Big Fat Crisis by Cohen Deborah

Author:Cohen, Deborah [Cohen, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781568589657
Publisher: Nation Books
Published: 2013-12-14T13:42:32+00:00

However, both the British and New York City campaigns were handicapped in that neither had the capacity to directly label these products, thereby allowing people to see the negative information about the product at the point of purchase.

I think that standardizing portion sizes, limiting impulse marketing, and running counter-advertising are the three policies that could make the biggest difference for the most people in the shortest amount of time, if they were adopted. However, there are at least six other interventions that build on our historic experience with alcohol control and are well worth examining. Let me briefly review these below.

1. Density Restrictions

Most states limit the number of outlets that can be licensed to sell alcohol. Why not do the same to limit the number of outlets that primarily sell food that is associated with chronic diseases, like doughnut shops, candy stores, and ice cream parlors? How many of these do we really need? Does it make sense for every office building to have junk food vending machines on every floor? Isn’t it plausible that having candy and sodas on every corner and in every building causes people to consume more of these unhealthy foods? Having fewer junk food outlets will likely reduce the frequency with which we consume such foods.

2. Pricing

Increasing alcohol taxes has been shown to reduce drinking, and restrictions on alcohol price promotions are also common. Most US states and localities prohibit “specials,” like “all you can drink” nights and “ladies drink free” nights. These policies reduce alcohol use and other alcohol-related problems.34 Similarly, increasing the price of foods most strongly associated with the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases could lead to reductions in consumption. Restrictions on “all you can eat” buffets and prohibitions on price reductions for junk food, like “ten for $10” or “two for the price of one” should be considered.

3. Warning Labels

Until now, in the United States, the warning labels for alcohol and tobacco have been limited to words. However, in Canada, graphic images showing the harms of tobacco are displayed on cigarette packages. Such images are effective in discouraging smoking and helping people quit.35

Why not use graphic warnings for foods that increase our risks of chronic diseases? How many mothers would pack children’s lunch bags with bologna sandwiches if the package had a symbol indicating that frequent consumption of bologna is associated with an increased risk of cancer? (It is.) We could create symbols that let consumers know which foods increase the risk of heart disease (e.g., foods high in sugar and high in saturated fat) and other chronic diseases (e.g., salty foods increase the risk of hypertension and stroke), and make sure vivid, graphic warnings are on the package and easily visible right at the point of purchase.

4. Workplace Interventions

Drinking on the job is prohibited everywhere, even though that wasn’t always the case. Businesses can establish policies that protect their workers as well as support healthy behaviors during the workday. They could offer walking and exercise breaks for sedentary

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