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

Abstract

The food industry is a for-profit industry with high relevance to universal eating disorders prevention. To date, policy which targets the food industry and food environment has been underutilized in efforts to decrease the incidence of eating disorders and associated risk factors. In contrast, food policy has been extensively leveraged with the aim of reducing the incidence of obesity. While philosophical misalignments with these later efforts may have constituted an obstacle to identifying the food environment as a key target for eating disorders prevention, food policy is an area where shared interests can be found. Specifically, a shared goal of obesity and eating disorders prevention efforts is creating a food environment that supports health, while minimizing the influence of the food industry that profits from the sale of highly palatable, processed foods and “diet” foods and from increasing portions of foods served and eaten.

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).…”

Eating Disorders and Obesity: The Challenge for Our Times

“…Public health concerns over the rising health toll resulting from weight disorders have become increasingly strident. However, as outlined in the two commentaries of this Special Issue [1,2], the concomitant mental health toll is largely ignored despite well-researched links between the physical and mental health of people living with larger bodies. Disordered eating is both an important risk and a perpetuating factor for obesity, often mediated through psychological states such as low mood or negative affect.…”

“…Thirteen primary research papers, three reviews, and two commentaries comprise this Special Issue. The two commentaries set the scene, calling for an integrated approach to the prevention [1] and treatment [2] of both problems. The primary papers and reviews fall into four broad areas of research: first, an understanding of the neuroscience of eating behaviours and body weight across the biopsychosocial and cultural spectrum; second, an exploration of relationships between disordered eating and obesity risk; third, new and integrated approaches in the treatment of obesity and eating disorders; and fourth, assessment in research and clinical domains.…”

Population‐level policy recommendations for the prevention of disordered weight control behaviors: A scoping review

“…Strategic science includes conducting research that can directly inform policy change, ranging from the development of strategic research questions, to connecting with a broad pool of cross‐disciplinary experts, to communicating findings that can inform legislative decisions. Two articles drew upon the food policy literature to recommend modifications to food systems that would help reduce DWCB risk, including the “engineering” of foods that are connected to loss of control eating, regulating large serving sizes associated with binge eating or restriction, regulating the promotion and composition of “diet” and “health halo” foods, and considering the potential benefits and risks of weight‐focused nutrition policy (Rodgers & Sonneville, 2018; Sonneville & Rodgers, 2019). Finally, advocacy was recommended as a tool for maximizing the impact of public policies aiming to reduce DWCBs, including the provision of a shared advocacy agenda across stakeholder groups, the organization of congressional briefings to inform future funding bills and related legislation, and the development of an advocacy organization focused on policy priorities related to eating disorders (Austin et al, 2019; Cogan, 1999; Cogan et al, 2005).…”

“…and "health halo" foods, and considering the potential benefits and risks of weight-focused nutrition policy (Rodgers & Sonneville, 2018;Sonneville & Rodgers, 2019). Finally, advocacy was recommended as a tool for maximizing the impact of public policies aiming to reduce DWCBs, including the provision of a shared advocacy agenda across stakeholder groups, the organization of congressional briefings to T A B L E 2 Summary of policy recommendations to reduce the prevalence of disordered weight control behaviors.…”