Sponsorship of physical activity programs by the sweetened beverages industry: public health or public relations?
Date
2011
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Abstract
The growing evidence on the association between consumption of sugar-sweetened
beverages, obesity and other chronic diseases has highlighted the
need to implement policy actions that go beyond programs exclusively focused
on individual responsibility. In order to protect their commercial goals in Latin
America, the sugar-sweetened beverage industry practices intense lobbying at
high government levels in several countries across the region. This strategy is
accompanied by corporate social responsibility programs that fund initiatives
promoting physical activity. These efforts, although appearing altruistic, are
intended to improve the industry’s public image and increase political influence
in order to block regulations counter to their interests. If this industry wants
to contribute to human well being, as it has publicly stated, it should avoid
blocking legislative actions intended to regulate the marketing, advertising
and sale of their products.
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Keywords
NUTRITION, PUBLIC HEALTH, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOFT DRINKS, SOFT DRINKS INDUSTRIES, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, LOBBYING, BEVERAGE INDUSTRY, MARKETING, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Citation
Gómez, L., Jacoby, E., Ibarra, L., Lucumí, D., Hernandez, A., Florindo, A. A., & Hallal, P. C. (2011). Sponsorship of physical activity programs by the sweetened beverages industry: public health or public relations? Rev Saúde Pública, 45 (2).