New obesity research from C. Herrick and colleagues discussed
March 2nd, 2009
2009 MAR 2 -- According to recent research from London, the United Kingdom, "This paper examines how and why health has become a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy for the global food and drink industry (FDI) in the context of current governmental and public calls to address mounting obesity rates. It argues that, despite the current prominence of health within CSR, there has not been a reciprocal interest by those adopting sociological approaches to the study of health and illness in the implications of this strategic uptake of health or in the viability and legitimacy of the state's own public health role."
"This omission is addressed through an empirical exploration of three contentions: first, that health and wellbeing may be used to secure brand value and consumer goodwill at a time when mounting obesity rates demand new levels of accountability from the FDI. Secondly, that the food industry, through CSR, may promote a narrow epidemiological understanding of obesity, shifting blame from 'foods' to 'diet' and from 'diet' to 'sedentarism'," wrote C. Herrick and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: "Thirdly, that CSR reporting and its associated practices have enabled the food industry to assume some responsibility for obesity prevention, thereby problematising the state's role in addressing its own 'public health' crisis."
Herrick and colleagues published their study in Sociology of Health & Illness (Shifting blame/selling health: corporate social responsibility in the age of obesity. Sociology of Health & Illness, 2009;31(1):51-65).
For additional information, contact C. Herrick, Kings College London, Dept. of Geog, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
Publisher contact information for the journal Sociology of Health & Illness is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.
Keywords: United Kingdom, London, Bariatrics, Obesity, Public Health.
This article was prepared by Obesity & Diabetes Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Obesity & Diabetes Week via NewsRx.com.
