Research for leveraging food policy in universal eating disorder prevention

Abstract

Policy and legislation have emerged as important levers for universal prevention efforts in the context of eating disorders. However, to date, little attention has been paid to generating research that will inform opportunities to regulate the food environment, specifically the way that food is produced and marketed. The present paper aims to lay out a framework for research that will examine (1) the ways in which food industry may influence risk for eating disorders and (2) the impact of legislative efforts on eating disorder cognitions and behaviors. For these two pathways, specific examples of research that would serve to inform policy efforts aiming to decrease the risk for eating disorders by targeting the food environment are proposed. Overall, the present paper aims to issue a call for the eating disorder field to become involved in food policy and regulation.

Digging up the dirt on “clean” dietary labels: Public health considerations and opportunities for increased Federal oversight

“…Although mixed, there is therefore support for the idea that individuals with ED may be particularly susceptible to food labels, and thus likely to be impacted by regulations pertaining to “clean” labels. We concur with recent calls to action that highlight the need for eating disorder scholars to become involved with food policy and industry oversight (Austin, 2016; Roberto & Brownell, 2017; Rodgers & Sonneville, 2018; Sonneville & Rodgers, 2018). Doing so in the case of “clean” dietary labels may serve to temper aggressive marketing efforts for a category of products that are arguably “diet” foods and may thereby increase risk for eating disorders by perpetuating diet culture and exacerbating dietary restriction (Sonneville & Rodgers, 2018).…”

Shared Concerns and Opportunity for Joint Action in Creating a Food Environment That Supports Health

“…The food industry, which includes food and beverage companies and quick-serve restaurants, is another such for-profit industry with high relevance to universal eating disorders prevention. To date, however, it has been neglected in efforts to decrease the incidence of eating disorders and associated risk factors [13]. In contrast, policy related to the food industry has been leveraged with the aim of reducing the incidence of obesity [14,15,16].…”

The impact of climate change on eating disorders: An urgent call for research

“…Lower availability of fruit and vegetables and water-intensive cereals such as rice that are staple foods for many groups, may lead to the development and marketing of substitute products. Such products may negatively affect individuals' capacity to regulate their intake through attention to satiety signals (Rodgers & Rodgers & Sonneville, 2018). The increased need for products with an extended shelf-life, due to variable climate conditions and transportation difficulties, may result in the additional processing of foods.…”

“…The food industry's role in increasing risk through multiple mechanisms has been neglected by the field of EDs (Rodgers & Rodgers & Sonneville, 2018). Given the magnitude of the financial interests related to the impact of climate change on the food industry it is an important area of focus moving forward.…”