Current Status and Response to the Global Obesity Pandemic Proceedings of a Workshop (2019) / Chapter Skim
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5 Reflections on the Global Approach and Lessons for Next Steps
5 Reflections on the Global Approach and Lessons for Next Steps
Pages 53-62
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From page 53... ...
(James Sallis) • Bloomberg Philanthropies works with leading advocacy and research organizations to raise awareness of obesity and to identify, implement, and evaluate effective obesity prevention policies in low- and middle-income countries.
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GLOBAL LESSONS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROMOTION IN THE UNITED STATES James Sallis, distinguished professor emeritus of family medicine and public health at the University of California, San Diego, and professorial fellow at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, described global lessons for physical activity promotion in the United States. He began with a brief overview of disparities in prevalence, environments, and policies with respect to physical activity in the United States, displaying data on the differences among four ethnic groups in walking for transportation and leisure (see Figure 5-1)
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There may also be disparities in policy implementation, he added, citing a study of differences in the implementation of federally funded bicycle and pedestrian projects. The study found that counties in the United States with persistent poverty or low educational status were less likely to obtain funding for or to implement such projects (Cradock et al., 2009)
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He suggested that many of these strategies could be adapted, implemented, and evaluated in the United States given the necessary funding and political will for policy change. PUBLIC POLICIES TO IMPROVE THE FOOD ENVIRONMENT According to Neena Prasad, director of the global obesity prevention and maternal and reproductive health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, her organization works with leading advocacy and research organizations to raise awareness of obesity and to identify, implement, and evaluate effective obesity prevention policies in six low- and middle-income countries: Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, and South Africa.
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She emphasized her organization's commitment to evidence-based policy advocacy and shared examples of research that supports policy initiatives, such as modeling of the impact of a sugary beverage tax on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A large proportion of Bloomberg Philanthropies' resources goes toward public awareness campaigns, Prasad continued, which are usually coupled with policy campaigns.
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Shekar then turned to the World Bank's new Human Capital Project, which, she said, will accelerate more and better investments in people globally. She characterized this as a major shift from the World Bank's reputation as a "hard infrastructure bank." The project, she explained, will include a Human Capital Index to make the case for investment in the human capital of the next generation, focusing on health and education; improve measurement and provide analysis to support investments in human capital formation; and support early adopters, and ultimately all countries, in preparing national strategies that accelerate progress on human capital.
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food supply has contributed to the obesity epidemic, and it was suggested that the health sector con tinue to establish trust with the food industry if a positive dif ference in the healthfulness of the food supply is to be made. According to the workshop's presentations, it appears that a lack of trust between the two sectors is a bigger problem in Latin America than in the United States.
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" DISCUSSION During the final discussion period, workshop participants considered the viability of fiscal strategies for helping to prevent and control obesity and the importance of evaluation. Fiscal Strategies Speakers touched on challenges and opportunities with respect to fiscal strategies for helping to address the obesity pandemic, such as taxes on unhealthy foods and financial incentives for healthy behaviors.
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GLOBAL APPROACH AND LESSONS FOR NEXT STEPS 61 some mistakes, she conceded, but "we can't afford to wait to understand every aspect of this before we act." Sallis agreed and added that the available evidence may not be definitive, but it is good fodder for hypotheses that could be tested. He questioned whether there have been enough interventions of sufficient magnitude to effect lasting change, and asserted, "The more I look into this, the more I see that we need to stimulate bold action, and then evaluate it." Bill Purcell concluded the workshop by stating that the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions will continue to explore the topic of global obesity and the implications for prevention and treatment efforts in the United States: "This is a conversation that we have been waiting to start for some time," he said, and "I think .
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