Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics, 2014
ABSTRACT Ample evidence exists on the negative influence on health of eating a diet high in energ... more ABSTRACT Ample evidence exists on the negative influence on health of eating a diet high in energy, saturated fat and salt and the onset of diabetes, cardiovascular and malignant diseases (for overview see WHO 2004). The rising problem of obesity fuels the efforts of health promoters, policy makers, the food industry and other experts concerned with nutrition communication to promote convenient healthful eating. Despite these efforts, promoting healthful eating remains a challenge [obesity and consumer choice]. At present, two contradictory trends emerge in nutrition promotion. On the one hand, decades of efforts have created awareness and understanding of eating for health: to eat a variety of food, more fruit, vegetables, and fish and avoid too much fatty and sugary food, calories and salt, and have also created the intention to do so in practice. At the environmental level, great efforts have been put into ‘making the healthy choice the easy choice’. On the other hand, studies show that, in the Netherlands as well as in other countries, most consumers eat less fruit and vegetables and more products high in energy, saturated fat, and sugar than recommended. This latter type of dietary intake is indicated as one of the main causes of the increasing prevalence of obesity and consequent rise in adult onset of diabetes, nowadays a major public health concern in the Netherlands, as well as globally. Apparently, knowing what to eat for health is not put into practice by many people. New strategies therefore, have to be considered to ensure that consumers direct their eating practices towards health. This essay discusses firstly the current biomedical oriented strategy of specifying nutritional recommendations on why, how and what to eat to remain in good health (2.). Then, the mismatches between this approach and the way people themselves deal with food and health in their everyday-lives is presented (3) and discussed in relation to ethical considerations (4). The next section introduces the salutogenic perspective (5) and the evidence regarding its value for application to the promotion of healthier eating practices (6). The last part of this essay discusses implications and examples of using this perspective for nutrition research and –promotion (7) and conclusions (8).
Adolescent obesity calls for evidence-based treatment approaches given its long-term physical and... more Adolescent obesity calls for evidence-based treatment approaches given its long-term physical and psychosocial consequences. However, research shows there are many problems in the translation of scientific evidence into practice.
Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics, 2014
ABSTRACT Ample evidence exists on the negative influence on health of eating a diet high in energ... more ABSTRACT Ample evidence exists on the negative influence on health of eating a diet high in energy, saturated fat and salt and the onset of diabetes, cardiovascular and malignant diseases (for overview see WHO 2004). The rising problem of obesity fuels the efforts of health promoters, policy makers, the food industry and other experts concerned with nutrition communication to promote convenient healthful eating. Despite these efforts, promoting healthful eating remains a challenge [obesity and consumer choice]. At present, two contradictory trends emerge in nutrition promotion. On the one hand, decades of efforts have created awareness and understanding of eating for health: to eat a variety of food, more fruit, vegetables, and fish and avoid too much fatty and sugary food, calories and salt, and have also created the intention to do so in practice. At the environmental level, great efforts have been put into ‘making the healthy choice the easy choice’. On the other hand, studies show that, in the Netherlands as well as in other countries, most consumers eat less fruit and vegetables and more products high in energy, saturated fat, and sugar than recommended. This latter type of dietary intake is indicated as one of the main causes of the increasing prevalence of obesity and consequent rise in adult onset of diabetes, nowadays a major public health concern in the Netherlands, as well as globally. Apparently, knowing what to eat for health is not put into practice by many people. New strategies therefore, have to be considered to ensure that consumers direct their eating practices towards health. This essay discusses firstly the current biomedical oriented strategy of specifying nutritional recommendations on why, how and what to eat to remain in good health (2.). Then, the mismatches between this approach and the way people themselves deal with food and health in their everyday-lives is presented (3) and discussed in relation to ethical considerations (4). The next section introduces the salutogenic perspective (5) and the evidence regarding its value for application to the promotion of healthier eating practices (6). The last part of this essay discusses implications and examples of using this perspective for nutrition research and –promotion (7) and conclusions (8).
Adolescent obesity calls for evidence-based treatment approaches given its long-term physical and... more Adolescent obesity calls for evidence-based treatment approaches given its long-term physical and psychosocial consequences. However, research shows there are many problems in the translation of scientific evidence into practice.
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