Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011)

Flint, S.W.; Oliver, E.J.

doi:10.1017/s1368980019000053

Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011)

Flint, S.W.; Oliver, E.J.

Authors

S.W. Flint

Dr Emily Oliver emily.oliver@durham.ac.uk
Honorary Professor

Abstract

Objective: Unhealthy food and drink consumption is associated with a range of physical and mental health concerns. In response, public health policies have been developed targeting a reduction in obesity in particular. In the present commentary we argue that government–industry partnerships have reduced the effectiveness of resultant policies and explore why. Design: Perspectives of authors. Setting: UK. Participants: Populations in the UK; UK Government. Results: Industry involvement has presented three interrelated challenges for the UK Government: (i) balancing collaboration while maintaining appropriate distance from industry stakeholders; (ii) resultant production of ‘watertight’ and effective legislation or intervention; and (iii) actual or perceived limited sanctioning or bargaining power. Conclusions: Industry involvement in public health policy making has led to weak action. Support with policy implementation (rather than development) and genuine ‘buy-in’ from industry could accelerate the pace of public health improvement.

Citation

Flint, S., & Oliver, E. (2019). Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011). Public Health Nutrition, 22(7), 1326-1329. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019000053

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jan 3, 2019
Online Publication Date	Mar 6, 2019
Publication Date	Mar 6, 2019
Deposit Date	Jan 7, 2019
Publicly Available Date	Mar 21, 2019
Journal	Public Health Nutrition
Print ISSN	1368-9800
Electronic ISSN	1475-2727
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	22
Issue	7
Pages	1326-1329
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019000053

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This article has been published in a revised form in Public health nutrition https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019000053. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © The Author(s).