Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011)

Flint, S.W.; Oliver, E.J.

Abstract

Objective: Unhealthy food and drink consumption is associated with a range of physical and mental health concerns. In response, public health policies have been developed targeting a reduction in obesity in particular. In the present commentary we argue that government–industry partnerships have reduced the effectiveness of resultant policies and explore why. Design: Perspectives of authors. Setting: UK. Participants: Populations in the UK; UK Government. Results: Industry involvement has presented three interrelated challenges for the UK Government: (i) balancing collaboration while maintaining appropriate distance from industry stakeholders; (ii) resultant production of ‘watertight’ and effective legislation or intervention; and (iii) actual or perceived limited sanctioning or bargaining power. Conclusions: Industry involvement in public health policy making has led to weak action. Support with policy implementation (rather than development) and genuine ‘buy-in’ from industry could accelerate the pace of public health improvement.

Citation

Flint, S., & Oliver, E. (2019). Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011). Public Health Nutrition, 22(7), 1326-1329. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019000053

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 3, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 6, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 6, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2019
• Journal: Public Health Nutrition
• Print ISSN: 1368-9800
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-2727
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 1326-1329
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019000053
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1310578