Prevention of obesity: The role of the food industry

The food industry is a critical factor in any potentially successful long-t erm strategy to prevent obesity. By producing new products low in energy de nsity and improving the nutritional quality (and reducing the energy conten t) of existing products, as well as through advances in responsible marketi ng and labeling, the food industry can provide foods that enable consumers to achieve lower energy intakes without going short of essential nutrients. The food industry is not the sole factor and government policies regarding agriculture, prices and subsidies are equally essential. Caterers and reta ilers are yet another important cog in the wheel for progress in obesity pr evention. Intensive collaboration between all these players will only be at tained if obesity prevention is given the priority it deserves in future pu blic health planning. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis (1999) 9: 45-50 (C) 1999, M edikal Press.