3.1.1 - Chocoholics? Dietary Change and Public Health

This phenomenon of buying unhealthier food is common around the world - could have chosen any country, Could have chosen any product

There has been a Global change in what everyone consumes

It’s part of an overall dietary change towards a more “western diet” (also an issue in richer nations)

• refined cereals, processed meat, edible oil and sugar

• Associated with greater health risks

Used to have the Mediterranean diet

• fish, olive oils

• More healthy

• Mediterranean countries are moving towards a more Western diet

Should we do anything about that? Textbook says yes

• there has been things suggested but not much has been put into practice

  1. Health Canada Healthy Plate (Public Health Campaigns)

     • government led info campaigns

     • Alcohol guidelines in Canada

  2. More obvious Labelling on foods

     • required packaging labels

     • Ex cigarettes have to say how bad they are for you

  3. (Haven’t done) Create a tax on things that are unhealthy

     • some countries have implemented it

     • Public health officials believe it is a good idea

     • May lead to taxation of the poor as poor people spend more on sugary snacks

     • A tax that’s easy to avoid

More arguments against this tax (Philosophical) Opposition by those with a material (economic) or ideological opposition too then”nanny” (interventionist) state

• fund Research disputing the science connecting specific food to poor health

• The state should not be telling us what we should or should not eat - nanny/interventionist state

• People can make their own choices - very well funded by the same people who are doing funded research doubting the health defects of the product

• Tax on the poor

Prices drive our diet depending on where one lives