The obesity epidemic represents one of the most pressing public health problems facing the United States today and requires consistent and coordinated public health solutions. In confronting this obesity epidemic, it is essential to explore the law both as policy tool and as a health determinant. Policies that affect food, nutrition, and physical activity are rooted in complex legal systems. PHAI approaches these problems with an environmental and population focus relying on public health practice. PHAI brings together practitioners in public health and law; legal academics; researchers; and advocates to explore the effective use of the law in combating obesity and to craft solutions to complex policy problems.
PROJECTS
Our obesity work focuses on the following two issue areas:
RELATED RESOURCES AND BLOG POSTS
- PHAI Publishes Legal Issue Brief on Digital Viral Food Marketing to Kids
- Soda and Tobacco Industry Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns: How Do They Compare?
- The Cost of McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys
- State Consumer Protection Laws to Stop Unfair and Deceptive Marketing of Kids’ Foods and Beverages
- Discovery of Elevated Fructose Levels in Popular Soft Drinks Raises Important Legal Questions for Regulators and Consumers
- CSPAN Webcast: Future of Obesity Litigation panel featuring PHAI’s Gottlieb and CSPI’s Gardner
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Using Litigation to Make Change: Lessons and Opportunities (Presentation to IOM Standing Committee on Childhood Obesity Prevention)
- Off the Map: Extracurricular School Food
- Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide
- PHAI Obesity Policy Recommendations to Obama Transition Team
- The Zoning Diet: to Help Communities Limit the Impact of Fast Food and its Advertising