Food Chain and Food Policies: Causes and Solutions for the Obesity Pandemic

Abstract

This article highlights the prevalence, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of obesity in the United States, including its increasing link to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We discuss food policies—ranging from societal to regional, state, and federal levels—and their healthcare impact. While multiple examples show some success in reducing the global obesity pandemic via the food chain, much research is still needed to demonstrate the robust impact of these multi-prong interventions and their ability to decrease the CVD burden.