Nannystate: Legislative 'solutions' to 'unhealthy eating' "...gaining political acceptance in Australia..."

Public Health. 2011 Dec;125(12):896-904. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2011.06.004. Epub 2011 Nov 5.

Legislative solutions to unhealthy eating and obesity in Australia.

MacKay S.

Author information

• Obesity Policy Coalition (Cancer Council Victoria, Diabetes Australia - Victoria, VicHealth, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University), 100 Drummond Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia. sarah.mackay@cancervic.org.au

Abstract

This paper discusses legislative interventions that have potential to address factors in the food environment that contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and increasing obesity rates in the Australian population, and political barriers to the implementation of these interventions. The paper devotes particular attention to legislative interventions to require disclosure of nutrition information about food and beverage products, which would help to inform consumer choices, and are, therefore, difficult to object to on personal responsibility or 'nanny state' grounds. It is suggested that these interventions seem to be gaining political acceptance in Australia, and may provide a starting point for incremental progress.