Essential task 2.4: Read and reflect- Profits and pandemics Read Moodie R et al. 2013, Profits and pandemics: prevention of harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food and drink industries Consider the questions below to guide your reading. You might like to post a response to one or more of these questions on the discussion board and read other students’ responses: 1) What are ultra-processed foods and how are they linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome? 2) Why has the sale of ultra-processed foods increased in low/middle income countries? 3) What are some of the strategies used by industry to undermine public health policies and programs? 4) According to this article, what approach is recommended to tackle the impact of the food industry on non-communicable diseases?
https:
www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy-b.deakin.edu.au/science/article/pii/S XXXXXXXXXX?via%3Dihu
Due 31/03/2019
AT1 - Module 2 Learning Reflection
The following reflection is based on the readings attached to Essential task 2.6 and 2.8, and the
underlying social and political ideologies relating to the implementation of the Nutrient-based Front
of Pack Labelling (NBFOPL) scheme, the Health Star Rating (HSR). The readings critique
parliamentary decisions for adopting the HSR scheme (1,2) and highlight the obvious conflicts of
interest in private-public partnerships (3) with the food industry.
I was completely surprised by how naïve and ill-informed I was regarding Australia’s HSR system. I
personally think that I have a high level of health literacy however, I was unaware that the HSR was
voluntary, self-regulated and based on a quintessentially flawed reductionist (nutrient) algorithm (1).
I realised that this is yet another example of social and political ideologies, such as neoliberal values
(4) and fear of public health paternalism (5), hindering effective regulatory action. Meanwhile
fortifying the food industry’s political influence (6-7).
Swinburn and Woods (2) reflection on Australia’s obesity prevention efforts since the emergence of
the obesity epidemic in the 1980s, provided further evidence of the prominent neoliberal political
hetoric in Australia and glaring conflict of interest of the food industry’s involvement in public
health policymaking. Other authors have also commented on the ineffectiveness of private-public
partnerships in delivering public health benefits (3).
The learning activities within modules 1 and 2 have affirmed my belief in the urgency of upstream,
egulatory public health nutrition measures to address the escalating obesity crisis. Australia’s lack
of progress in preventing rising obesity levels is largely due to the prioritisation of individual
ehaviour change interventions (6), dominated by neoliberal values and powerful lo
ying pressure
(2,3). A weak evidence-base has been raised as a significant challenge to adopting regulatory
interventions in Australia (7), however the voluntary HSR scheme was implemented without any
evidence behind it (2).
I strongly believe, along with other academics (3,5-7), that the food industry has no role to play in
public health nutrition discourse and policymaking. It’s extremely concerning that Australia’s obesity
prevention progress over almost four decades has had limited success (6). Especially as it took five
decades of evidence linking tobacco and cancer (5) before effective tobacco control policies were
implemented. At this rate the overwhelming evidence linking ultra-processed food and beverages to
obesity (3) are unlikely to eventuate into effective regulatory action anytime soon. Navigating the
political landscape and relentless industry opposition presents a formidable challenge to me as an
aspiring public health nutrition professional.
References
1. Lawrence MA, Dickie S, Woods JL. Do nutrient-based front-of-pack labelling schemes support o
undermine food-based dietary guideline recommendations? Lessons from the Australian Health
Star Rating System [Internet]. MDPI; 2018 [cited 2019 Mar 27]. Available from:
http:
dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU: XXXXXXXXXX/lawrence-donutrientbased-2018.pdf
2. Swinburn B, Wood A. Progress on obesity prevention over 20 years in Australia and New Zealand
[Internet]. Wiley-Blackwell; 2013 [cited 2019 Mar 27]. Available from:
http:
doi.org/10.1111/o
.12103
http:
dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU: XXXXXXXXXX/lawrence-donutrientbased-2018.pdf
http:
dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU: XXXXXXXXXX/lawrence-donutrientbased-2018.pdf
http:
doi.org/10.1111/o
.12103
http:
doi.org/10.1111/o
.12103
Kylie Fraser XXXXXXXXXXDue 31/03/2019
3. Moodie R, Stuckler D, Monteiro C, Sheron N, Neal B, Thamarangsi T, et al. Profits and pandemics:
prevention of harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food and drink industries.
Lancet (London, England) [Internet]. 2013 Feb 23 [cited 2019 Mar 27]; XXXXXXXXXX):670–9.
Available from:
http:
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4. Fa
ell LC, Moore VM, Warin MJ, Street JM. Why do the public support or oppose obesity
prevention regulations? Results from a South Australian population survey. Health Promotion
Journal of Australia [Internet]. 2019 Jan [cited 2019 Mar 24];30(1):47–59. Available from: DOI:
10.1002/hpja.185
5. Stuckler D, Nestle M. Big Food, Food Systems, and Global Health. PLOS MEDICINE [Internet].
[cited 2019 Mar 27];9(6). Available from: DOI: XXXXXXXXXX/journal.pmed XXXXXXXXXX
6. Sainsbury E, Hendy C, Magnusson R, Colagiuri S. Public support for government regulatory
interventions for overweight and obesity in Australia. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2018 Apr 18
[cited 2019 Mar 24];18(1):513. Available from: DOI: XXXXXXXXXX/s XXXXXXXXXX
7. Baker P, Gill T, Friel S, Carey G, Kay A. Generating political priority for regulatory interventions
targeting obesity prevention: an Australian case study. Social Science & Medicine [Internet].
2017 Mar 1 [cited 2019 Mar 25];177:141–9. Available from:
http:
www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed XXXXXXXXXX
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www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed XXXXXXXXXX
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