What Is the Role of Regulation in the Management and Prevention of Obesity?

Abstract

This review article discusses recent literature on the role of regulation in the management and prevention of obesity. Specifically, the article examines regulation in five domains: product, price, promotion, places, and people. Examples of each type of regulation are described and recent research findings examining the impact of these regulatory tools are summarized. While various levels of government in different countries are trying regulation-based approaches to promote healthier behaviors, some measures, including menu labeling, 'fat taxes', and restrictions on food and beverage marketing and access, have had limited impacts. Moreover, many studies that attempt to measure the effects of regulatory approaches do not collect data on body weight, thus the impact of regulations on obesity over time is often not studied. The complexity of factors that influence diet and activity demands multi-factorial interventions; examining current efforts will help inform continuing policy decisions about regulation-based approaches to manage and prevent obesity. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.