To the Editor: A recent review by Franck et al. discussed the importance of agricultural
policy and its impact on the American obesity epidemic.
1
The review was motivated by the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill and the drafting
of a new Farm Bill for 2013, which would have implications for agricultural management
for the next 5 to 7 years.
1
The authors argued that government subsidies to agricultural markets have encouraged
an overproduction of food, including an oversupply of grain-fed livestock in the U.S.,
and have conversely discouraged production of fruits and vegetables.
1
The authors clearly illustrated how agricultural policy can affect the cost of food
and, subsequently, consumer behavior and food choices.
1
Although the authors recognized what little control public health practitioners have
over the food industry, they did not provide suggestions on how the health sector
can strengthen the impact of its policies. There are two sectors that are interlinked
with agriculture, public health and climate change, and better management of agricultural
production is likely to have the dual benefits of reducing obesity and mitigating
climate change. This opportunity for intersectoral collaboration should not be overlooked.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- Agricultural subsidies and the American obesity epidemic.Am J Prev Med. 2013; 45: 327-333
- Climate change 2007: synthesis report.Summary for policymakers. IPCC, Valencia, Spain2007
- Sustainable diets for the future: can we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eating a healthy diet?.Am J Clin Nutr. 2012; 96: 632-639
- Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options.Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2006;
- The progressive increase of food waste in America and its environmental impact.PLoS One. 2009; 4: e7940
- Agriculture policy is health policy.J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2009; 4: 393-408
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© 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Agricultural Subsidies and the American Obesity EpidemicAmerican Journal of Preventive MedicineVol. 45Issue 3
- PreviewGovernment-issued agricultural subsidies are worsening obesity trends in America. Current agricultural policy remains largely uninformed by public health discourse. Although findings suggest that eliminating all subsidies would have a mild impact on the prevalence of obesity, a revision of commodity programs could have a measurable public health impact on a population scale, over time. Policy reforms will be important determinants of the future of obesity in America, primarily through indemnity program revisions, and the allocation of increasing amounts of resources to sustainable agriculture.
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