title: Public policy versus individual rights in childhood obesity interventions: perspectives from the Arkansas experience with Act 1220 of 2003.
abstract: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. Experts recommend that prevention and control strategies include population-based policies. Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 is one such initiative and provides examples of the tensions between individual rights and public policy. We discuss concerns raised during the implementation of Act 1220 related to the 2 primary areas in which they emerged: body mass index measurement and reporting to parents and issues related to vending machine access. We present data from the evaluation of Act 1220 that have been used to address concerns and other research findings and conclude with a short discussion of the tension between personal rights and public policy. States considering similar policy approaches should address these concerns during policy development, involve multiple stakeholder groups, establish the legal basis for public policies, and develop consensus on key elements.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham St, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. mmphillips@uams.edu
authors.forename: Martha M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Raczynski
mesh_terms: D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006078:Government Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D012572:School Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012574:Schools / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D040241:Social Marketing