Review of Obesity Policy Option Recommends more Research and Evaluation of Effectiveness before Implementation

A review of the evidential basis for 3 environmental approaches to reducing population obesity explored the likely impact of (1) taxing or subsidising foods (2) manipulating ease of food access (3) restricting access to some foods. The authors noted that there was strong evidence that manipulating pricing influenced purchase but not necessarily food consumption or body weight.  The published literature appeared to indicate that ease of food access influenced food purchase, as well as consumption and body weight. The review found insufficient published evidence on the impact restricting access to determine if this was an effective intervention. The authors conclude that policy change should weigh scientific evidence with social judgements and caution that untested manipulation of environmental variables may precipitate unintended outcomes. Further research is recommended to ensure macro-environmental change is justified, appropriate and effective.

Faith M, Fontaine K, Baskin M & Allison B (2007) ‘Towards the reduction of population obesity – macrolevel environmental approaches to the problems of food, eating and obesity’ Psychol Bull Vol 133, No 2:205-226.