Policy options for obesity in Europe: a comparison of public health specialists with other stakeholders
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Title: | Policy options for obesity in Europe: a comparison of public health specialists with other stakeholders |
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Authors: | González Zapata, Laura Inés | Álvarez-Dardet, Carlos | Ortiz-Moncada, Rocío | Clemente Gómez, Vicente | Millstone, Erik | Holdsworth, Michelle | Sarri, Katerina | Tarlao, Giulio | Horvath, Zoltanne | Lobstein, Tim | Savva, Sawas |
Research Group/s: | Salud Pública |
Center, Department or Service: | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia | University of Sussex. Science and Technology Policy Research | Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (Montpellier) | University of Crete. Preventive Medicine & Nutrition Clinic | Institute of International Sociology (Gorizia) | Semmelweis University. Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Sciences | Research and Education Institute of Child Health (Strovolos) |
Keywords: | Obesity | Public policy | Public health nutrition | Food and nutrition policy |
Knowledge Area: | Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública |
Date Created: | 2007 |
Issue Date: | 29-Jul-2008 |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Citation: | GONZÁLEZ ZAPATA, Laura I., et al. "Policy options for obesity in Europe: a comparison of public health specialists with other stakeholders". Public Health Nutrition. Published online by Cambridge University Press 29 Jul 2008. ISSN 1368-9800 |
Abstract: | Objective: To explore policy options that public health specialists (PHS) consider appropriate for combating obesity in Europe, and compare their preferences with those of other stakeholders (non-PHS). Design: Structured interviews using multicriteria mapping, a computer-based, decision-support tool. Setting: Nine European countries. Subjects: A total of 189 stakeholders. Twenty-seven interviewees were PHS and non-PHS included food, sports and health sectors. Measurements: A four-step approach was taken, i.e. selecting options, defining criteria, scoring options quantitatively and weighting the criteria to provide overall rankings of options. Interviews were recorded and transcribed to yield qualitative data. Results: The PHS concur with other stakeholders interviewed, as all emphasised the importance of educational initiatives in combating obesity, followed by policies to improve community sports facilities, introduce mandatory food labelling and controlling food and drink advertising. Further analyses revealed several significant differences. The non-PHS from the private sector ranked institutional reforms favourably; the PHS from non-Mediterranean countries supported the option of medicines to prevent obesity; and those PHS from Mediterranean countries endorsed the use of activity monitoring devices such as pedometers. As far as appraisal criteria were concerned, PHS considered efficacy and the economic impact on the public sector to be the most important. Conclusion: There is clear consensus among PHS and other stakeholders concerning the need for a package of policy options, which suggests that European-wide implementation could be successful. However, it would be advisable to avoid more contentious policy options such as taxation until future changes in public opinion. |
Sponsor: | New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST) research programme (European Union). |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10045/8446 |
ISSN: | 1368-9800 |
DOI: | 10.1017/S136898000800308X |
Language: | eng |
Type: | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
Rights: | © Cambridge University Press 2008 |
Peer Review: | si |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S136898000800308X |
Appears in Collections: | INV - SP - Artículos de Revistas INV - ALINUT - Artículos de Revistas Institucional - IUIEG - Publicaciones |
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policy_options_obesity_europe.pdf | 244,07 kB | Adobe PDF | Open Preview | |
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