title: The Influence on Population Weight Gain and Obesity of the Macronutrient Composition and Energy Density of the Food Supply.
abstract: Rates of overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in all regions of the world over the last few decades. Almost all of the world's population now has ubiquitous access to low-cost, but highly-processed, energy-dense, nutrient-poor food products. These changes in the food supply, rather than decreases in physical activity, are most likely the primary driver of population weight gain and obesity. To-date, the majority of prevention efforts focus on personalised approaches targeting individuals. Population-wide food supply interventions addressing sodium and trans fat reduction have proven highly effective and comparable efforts are now required to target obesity. The evidence suggests that strategies focusing upon reducing the energy density and portion size of foods will be more effective than those targeting specific macronutrients. Government leadership, clearly specified targets, accountability and transparency will be the key to achieving the food supply changes required to address the global obesity epidemic.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Level 10, King George V Building, 83-117 Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia. mcrino@georgeinstitute.org.au.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crino
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia. gary.sacks@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacks
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. s.vandevijvere@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandevijvere
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia. boyd.swinburn@auckland.ac.nz.|School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. boyd.swinburn@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Boyd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swinburn
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Level 10, King George V Building, 83-117 Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia. bneal@georgeinstitute.org.au.|The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. bneal@georgeinstitute.org.au.|Imperial College, London, UK. bneal@georgeinstitute.org.au.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neal
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D064787:Portion Size; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Energy density; Food supply; Macronutrient composition; Nutrition transition; Obesity; Ultra-processed food products