Dealing With Obesity: Free Market Approaches in Context

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Dealing With Obesity Free Market Approaches in
Context

• Walter J. Armbruster
• President
• Farm Foundation

The Economics of Obesity Is New Public Policy
Justified? Arlington, VA March 12, 2004
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Obesity

• Public health problem
• More food and calories
• Individual and societal implications

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Major Nutritional Problem

• Dietary fat
• Childrens diets
• Away-from-home foods
• Make healthful choices
• Is obesity a disease, or a result?

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Indicators of Concern and Proposed Solutions

• Better diet-health knowledge
• Globalization of the food industry
• Immigration into the U.S.
• Research to better understand
• Research to develop new products

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Free Market Approaches

• Individual actions
• Food company initiatives
• Education and marketing campaigns
• Government role

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Individual Actions

• Labeling may cause some dietary change
• Low carbohydrate diets
• Commodity price effects

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Food Company Initiatives

• Low carbohydrate bandwagon
• Reductions in size of portions
• Reformulate products to reduce fat content
• Advertising products as healthier

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Education and Marketing Campaigns

• Atkins diet
• Cooper Clinics Optimal Nutrition for Optimal
  Health program
• Programs to address childhood obesity

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Government Role

• Societal health issue and its cost
• Proper role of government
• Additional free market responses
• Combination will be needed