Food safety and tackling obesity

Abstract

Editorial the United Nations' Sustainable development Goals provide a central agenda for improving sustainability at a global level. one of the 17 aims addresses more sustainable consumption and production patterns in order to 'reduce future economic, environmental and social costs' and specifically focuses on food consumption and the dietary choices and habits of individuals. 1 Given the high costs of obesity and comorbidities in terms of healthcare expenditure and quality of life, prevention strategies are paramount. Food consumed outside the home is higher in calories; is often too rich in energy, fat and sodium; and is served in larger portions, thus contributing to the obesogenic environment. 2 in Western Europe, obesity has risen by 9%-15% in the last 10 years and a correlation has been made between eating out and this data. 3 in the United Kingdom, one in six meals is eaten outside the home, providing in the region of 25% and 20% of energy intakes for men and women, respectively. 4 Food 2030 highlights the political momentum for a coherent research and innovation policy framework for food and nutrition security. 5 research and innovation features in support of an impactful nutrition and food systems enquiry that is market-creating, open science and multi-actor engagement, building capacities and skills; and strengthening global collaboration for improved research policy alliance. the relationship between eating out and obesity is therefore a topic that is clearly gaining both interest and momentum particularly in the United Kingdom where it is underlined by the impending sugar tax in 2018. it is evident that we are facing a global dilemma with Sun 6 commenting on the situation in South Korea and Sacco et al. 7 from Canada reflecting on menu labelling and particularly highlighting a need for high-quality studies conducted in real-world settings. Wadolowska et al. 8 present a comparison of dietary patterns derived by two methods and their association with obesity in Polish girls aged 13-21 years as part of the cross-sectional GEBaHealth study, and Mahmood and lowe follow the theme by considering population segmentation as an approach to reducing childhood obesity inequality. 9 it is well reported that childhood obesity is a marker for later life and hence the attention on this age group; however, the food industry has also come under scrutiny in the cross-sectional study by Hobbs et al. 10 on how different data sources and definitions of neighbourhood influence the association between food outlet availability and body mass index makes for interesting reading. Finally, the ultimate solution as evaluated by Beaulac and Sandre, 11 also from Canada, could be bariatric surgery which has received the greatest research attention and been associated not only with greater weight loss and health benefit but also with greater risks, complications and, unsurprisingly, financial cost. dietary programmes demonstrated weight loss and therefore health benefits to a lesser extent and were associated with lower and shorter t...