title: Obesity framing for health policy development in Australia, France and Switzerland.
abstract: The obesity epidemic is a consequence of the interaction of cultural, environmental, genetic and behavioural factors; framing the issue is central to determining appropriate solutions. This study used content and thematic framing analysis to explore portrayal of responsibility for obesity in policy documents in Australia, France and Switzerland. For Australia and France, obesity causality was a combination of individual and environmental factors, but for Switzerland, it was predominantly individual. The primary solutions for all countries were health promotion strategies and children's education. Industry groups proposed more school education while health advocates advised government intervention. Where France emphasized cultural attitudes towards taste, Australia focused on sport. The French were most keen on legislating against unhealthy foods compared with Switzerland where there was opposition towards regulation of individual's choices. To curb the increasing prevalence of obesity, allocation of responsibility needs to be considered and initiatives enacted accordingly.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia adp967@uowmail.edu.au.
authors.forename: Annabelle D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Patchett
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Heather R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Yeatman
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia.
authors.forename: Keryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D005602:France; D006078:Government Programs; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011050:Policy Making; D011634:Public Health; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: France; Switzerland; obesity; Australia