Given that obesity produces significant social costs, public health authorities need to be far more pro-active in designing interventions

Obesity is an increasingly important problem in European countries. Joan Costa-Font argues that obesity is an example of market failure and that policy should focus on changing social rewards to unhealthy food consumption and tackling the prevailing social norms with regards to sedentary behaviour at home and the workplace.

• Primary Source

WHO: Europe: Health Topics: Obesity http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/obesity

European Commission: DG Health & Consumers: Public health: Nutrition and physical activity: Policy http://ec.europa.eu/health/nutrition_physical_activity/policy/index_en.htm

EurActiv, 19.03.14: European obesity on the rise: Study http://www.euractiv.com/health/european-poor-health-habits-lead-news-534192

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