Government policies to reduce obesity: suggestions for action

Thanks to all who commented on my April 1 (not a joke) post on inadvertant government policies that promote obesity.

Thanks in particular to Joshua De Voto who forwarded a link to the Sean Faircloth article that kicked off this discussion.

What’s remarkable about the list of items is that they constitute a policy agenda for health promotion.  Just turn them around:

• Subsidize development of trails and sidewalks in cities and communities.
• Pass zoning laws that encourage foot and bicycle traffic.
• Provide nutrition information in fast food and other restaurants (fingers crossed that the FDA will eventually get on this).
• Require physical education, nutrition, and cooking classes in schools.
• Ban marketing of junk foods to children.
• Ban marketing of junk foods in schools (USDA is trying to do this).
• Subsidize production of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Subsidize healthy foods in programs for poor people.
• Eliminate corporate tax deductions for marketing.
• Permit lawsuits against food companies.

I can think of other policies well worth promoting.

Please add to the list!