Public opinion on nutrition-related policies to combat child obesity, Los Angeles County, 2011

Prev Chronic Dis. 2014 Jun 5:11:E96. doi: 10.5888/pcd11.140005.

Abstract

We assessed public opinion on nutrition-related policies to address child obesity: a soda tax, restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods and beverages to children, and restrictions on siting fast food restaurants and convenience stores near schools. We analyzed data from 998 adults (aged ≥18 years) in the 2011 Los Angeles County Health Survey. Support was highest for advertising restrictions (74%), intermediate for a soda tax (60%), and lowest for siting restrictions on fast food restaurants and convenience stores (44% and 37%, respectively). Support for food and beverage advertising restrictions and soda taxation is promising for future policy efforts to address child obesity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carbonated Beverages / adverse effects
  • Carbonated Beverages / economics
  • Commerce / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Fast Foods / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Policy*
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology
  • Pediatric Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Public Opinion*
  • Restaurants / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Schools
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Marketing*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sweetening Agents / adverse effects
  • Sweetening Agents / economics
  • Taxes / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Sweetening Agents