title: Sponsorship of physical activity programs by the sweetened beverages industry: public health or public relations?
abstract: The growing evidence on the association between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity and other chronic diseases has highlighted the need to implement policy actions that go beyond programs exclusively focused on individual responsibility. In order to protect their commercial goals in Latin America, the sugar-sweetened beverage industry practices intense lobbying at high government levels in several countries across the region. This strategy is accompanied by corporate social responsibility programs that fund initiatives promoting physical activity. These efforts, although appearing altruistic, are intended to improve the industry's public image and increase political influence in order to block regulations counter to their interests. If this industry wants to contribute to human well being, as it has publicly stated, it should avoid blocking legislative actions intended to regulate the marketing, advertising and sale of their products.
authors.affiliation: División Salud, Fundación FES Social, Calle 23 No. 68-59, Bogotá, Colombia. luisefe64@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ibarra
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lucumí
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Florindo
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hallal
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D016265:Conflict of Interest / Q000191:economics; D005378:Financial Support / Q000941:ethics*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000941:ethics*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics*; D012941:Social Responsibility