‘Nudge’ Policy on Obesity Draws Flak

The government’s policy of nudging people to make healthy food and lifestyle choices as a way to tackle the obesity epidemic has not been taken well among food policy experts. Experts also feel that this policy may not have the desired effect in tackling obesity.

According to Professor Tim Lang, professor of food policy and Dr Geof Rayner, honorary research fellow, in the Centre for Food Policy at City University in London, the nudging strategy also pointed to the government’s rather mild manner of treating an enormous problem like obesity. The government is instead avoiding taking stern measures of tackling obesity like higher taxes, legislation and more regulation.

“Our final worry is that nudge becomes collusion between the state and corporations to hoodwink consumers. At least nannies are overt,” they concluded.



Source-Medindia