Sustainable Diets from a Consumer Perspective: The Nutrition-Sustainability-Health Nexus

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingsResearch

    Abstract

    The worldwide rise of childhood obesity is one of today’s biggest challenges. Beyond impairing individuals’ lives, obesity also impacts societies’ sustainability, most notably with regard to the social, the cultural and the economic dimension. Lately, also the environmental dimension - in particular via high-meat, high-protein, non-sustainable diets – has received more attention. Both academics and policy makers are increasingly thinking childhood obesity in a “nexus” mode and therewith leaving old “silos”.
    On the policy level, curbing childhood obesity has become a goal in several national and international policy strategies aiming for a better, healthier and more sustainable life. The focus is typically on children since their health behaviour is expected to have a strong impact on
    consumers in adulthood.
    The presentation analyses the influencing factors, looks at the nexus of these three dimensions and suggest elements of an effective policy toolbox. Examples from Germany, Denmark and the US are
    used, both from the literature as well as from own empirical studies. Beyond traditional tools such as regulation, information and education, behavioural informed strategies based on choice architecture and “nudging” are discussed. The latter seem to be most promising but yet still underused options.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication12th European Nutrition Conference (FENS) : Berlin, Germany, October 20–23, 2015 Abstracts
    EditorsHeiner Boeing, Helmut Oberritter, Hannelore Daniel
    Place of PublicationBasel
    PublisherKarger
    Publication date2015
    Pages67
    ISBN (Electronic)9783318056310
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015
    Event12th European Nutrition Conference FENS 2015: Nutrition and Health Throughout Life-cycle - Science for the European Consumer - Berlin, Germany
    Duration: 20 Oct 201523 Oct 2015
    Conference number: 12
    http://www.fensberlin2015.org/

    Conference

    Conference12th European Nutrition Conference FENS 2015
    Number12
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityBerlin
    Period20/10/201523/10/2015
    Internet address
    SeriesAnnals of Nutrition and Metabolism
    NumberSuppl 1
    Volume67
    ISSN0250-6807

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