title: Food Policy Approaches to Obesity Prevention: An International Perspective.
abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the recent obesity prevention-related food policies initiated in countries worldwide. We searched and reviewed relevant research papers and government documents, focusing on those related to dietary guidelines, food labeling, regulation of food marketing, and policies affecting food prices. We also commented on the effects and challenges of some of the related policy options. There are large variations regarding what, when, and how policies have been implemented across countries. Clearly, developed countries are leading the effort, and developing countries are starting to develop some related policies. The encouraging message is that many countries have been adopting policies that might help prevent obesity and that the support for more related initiatives is strong and continues to grow. Communicating information about these practices will help researchers, public health professionals, and policy makers around the world to take action to fight the growing epidemic of obesity and other nutrition-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214-8001, USA; Research Institute of Economics and Management, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, #55 Guanghuacun Street, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610074.
authors.forename: Shiyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
authors.forename: Ruicui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214-8001, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214-8001, USA.
authors.forename: Youfa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Food policy; International; Intervention; Obesity; Overweight; Prevention