ABSTRACT
Obesity is a complex disease that is influenced by factors such as physiology, behavior, and the environment. In addition to individual-level interventions, actions are needed to control and prevent obesity at the population level with policies that promote healthy behaviors and create healthy food environments. Since the food environment can shape dietary choices, behaviors, and preferences, it comprises a powerful determinant of obesity which cannot be addressed without governmental leadership and involvement from non-governmental organizations. This chapter aims to describe specific examples of how these entities can intervene to improve the food environment and make it more conducive to healthy choices. In the first section, the government's role in creating and designing policy is discussed, as well as the importance of managing conflicts of interest. Six evidence-based interventions are presented, including the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, taxation, front-of-pack labeling, consumption-based subsidies, built environments for physical activity, and marketing regulations. The second part explores the importance of civil society participation to ensure that policies are adopted transparently and rooted in community needs, as well as the role of academia and international health organizations for problem recognition, monitoring, and legitimacy.
