Childhood Obesity: Ethical and Policy Issues
ISBN: 9780199362639
Platform/Publisher: Oxford Academic / Oxford University Press
Digital rights: Users: Unlimited; Printing: Unlimited; Download: Unlimited
Subjects: Public Health and Epidemiology;

Childhood obesity has become a central concern in many countries and a range of policies have been implemented or proposed to address it. This co-authored book is the first to focus on the ethical and policy questions raised by childhood obesity and its prevention.

Throughout the book, authors Kristin Voigt, Stuart G. Nicholls, and Garrath Williams emphasize that childhood obesity is a multi-faceted phenomenon, and just one of many issues that parents, schools and societies face. They argue that it is important to acknowledge the resulting complexities and not to think in terms "single-issue" policies.

After first reviewing some of the factual uncertainties about childhood obesity, the authors explore central ethical questions. What priority should be given to preventing obesity? To what extent are parents responsible? How should we think about questions of stigma and inequality? In the second part of the book, the authors consider key policy issues, including the concept of the 'obesogenic environment,' debates about taxation and marketing, and the role that schools can play in obesity prevention.

The authors argue that political debate is needed to decide the importance given to childhood obesity and how to divide responsibilities for action. These debates have no simple answers. Nonetheless, the authors argue that there are reasons for hope. There are a wide range of opportunities for action. Many of these options also promise wider social benefits.


Kristin Voigt is an Assistant Professor at McGill University, jointly appointed in the Department of Philosophy and the Institute for Health and Social Policy. Her research focuses on egalitarian theories of distributive justice and the links between philosophy and social policy.

Stuart Nicholls is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Epidemiology & Community Medicine, University of Ottawa. His research broadly considers socio-ethical issues in public health, with a particular interest in population screening.

Garrath Williams is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Lancaster University, UK. He studied philosophy, politics and health care ethics at Manchester University, and continues to research in all three areas. He has a special interest in the philosophy of responsibility, and participates in collaborative European research on children and health.

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