Should the food industry be monitored like cigarettes?

Obesity, food and climate change: These three variables pose a threat to the planet and must be tackled globally, according to a report released Monday. 28 by a group of experts from the magazine The Lancet .

According to the document, signed by a panel of experts from the University of Auckland (New Zealand), the University of George Washington (United States) and the NGO Word Obesity Federation, the multinationals of the food industry should be monitored.

For this, scientists propose the creation of a "convention on food systems" similar to that adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003 in the fight against smoking. The goal is to challenge the industry lobby to limit influence on public policy. According to the report, the non-alcoholic beverage industry has spent $ 50 million to combat measures to reduce the consumption of this type of beverage.

"Food is logically different from cigarettes because it is essential to life, but it is not the case of unhealthy foods," said Professor William H. Dietz, one of the signatory experts of the report. "The commonalities between industrialized foods and cigarettes are the damage they cause and the behavior of the companies that benefit from it."

The document is the continuation of a study published on January 17. recommends reducing the consumption of red meat, sugar and more fruits, vegetables and nuts on the menu.

The new report is the result of the work of 43 experts from 14 countries. In conclusion, over the last 20 years, obesity, malnutrition and climate change have been considered as independent issues, generating a "slow and unacceptable" policy response, group members said. Food accounts for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock is responsible for much of the pollution, notes the study.

Scientists also point out that sedentary lifestyles are one of the causes of global warming. "Our transportation systems are dominated by the use of the car, favoring a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity, which generates between 14% and 25% of polluting emissions."

Extreme weather phenomena

"Malnutrition and obesity will undoubtedly be aggravated by climate change," scientists predict. Extreme weather events, such as droughts, could deprive people in many countries of food products and raise the price of fruits and vegetables, which would also increase the consumption of industrial foods. "You have to be aware of this connection," says Corinna Hawkes, one of the authors of the report.

The solution to this situation is to implement public health policies, such as recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity. as well as additional funds for sustainable agriculture, with the adoption of taxes aimed at reducing the consumption of red meat and the daily use of cars.

According to the WHO, 1.9 billion adults in the world are in the world. overweight and 650 million are obese, which is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. At the same time, 462 million adults are too thin.