title: European Union public opinion on policy measures to address childhood overweight and obesity.
abstract: Increases in pediatric overweight and obesity throughout the European Union (EU) generate concern because of the many associated co-morbidities, psychosocial effects, and economic costs. A variety of policy approaches have been implemented, but counteracting weight gain has proven challenging. Do differences in public opinion about policy options to fight the problem exist among EU countries? We obtained data for our study from the Eurobarometer and include representative samples from all EU Member States plus four prospective countries. Our results suggest strong consistency among EU countries in support for two policies: providing information to parents and more physical activity in schools. For improving children's diets, our data show widespread support for providing parents with information, education programs in schools, and restrictions on advertising. For reducing childhood obesity, more physical activity in schools received the most support followed by education and advertising restrictions. There was very little support for imposing taxes on unhealthy food.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Communication and Education, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Via G. Buffi 13, Lugano CH 6900, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L Suzanne
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Suggs
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005062:European Union; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011639:Public Opinion