Intervention: Addressing obesity

Studies concluded that the removal of unhealthy sugary foods from supermarket checkout counters could make a drastic change for the high percentage of children suffering from obesity. Childhood obesity is a huge concern in many countries including Malta, in fact, recent studies show that almost 40% of school-aged children are obese.

Supermarkets are being “obliged” to change the positioning of unhealthy products, even though research shows that the location of these products boosts sales for organisations. Companies are going against their strategic objectives; to increase profit, in order to safeguard future generations from consuming unhealthy products.

On the go purchases are often impulsive and can be the result of children pestering their parents. 

 

Impulsive buying must never be encouraged especially when promoting unhealthy snacks that would stimulate children to disturb their parents. This type of purchasing may be one of the causes why presently there is a high percentage of people suffering from obesity and other implications.

Researchers concluded a 17% reduction in purchases as a result of the removal of unhealthy products at checkout aisles. Dr Katrine Ejlerskov discussed that this implementation is stimulating a positive motivation on customer purchases. Indeed, after a year, customers were purchasing 15% fewer products, when compared to pre-implementation policies.

This simple experiment established that companies have the ability to promote a healthier lifestyle. Products bought from the checkout aisle are a consequence of impulsive buying rather than, essential goods, so one must be careful and be aware of one’s own purchases.

Dr Jean Adams stresses the fact that these government policies can help to reduce the consumption of unhealthy products. This is one method of how a government can tackle the concern of obesity in a country. Bryony Sinclair argues that it is intolerable for companies to display unhealthy products at checkout counters to stimulate impulsive purchases. 

Such “evidence-informed policies” enable governments to restrict unhealthy impulsive purchases and create atmospheres that encourage healthier eating alternatives. 

The consumption of unhealthy foods will lead to the eventuality of weight gain and this may initiate other adverse outcomes including a higher risk of developing 12 different types of cancer.

It would be very beneficial for governments to tackle the concept of obesity and include such methods in everyday life because these little practices could effectively promote a healthier lifestyle.