A look at food industry responses to the rising prevalence of overweight.

The role of the food industry in the response to the epidemic of obesity is guided by many factors, including the current state of knowledge of the problem. There have been efforts among food and beverage companies to help increase our knowledge about the factors contributing to overweight and to investigate product and marketing changes that may help reduce the risk of weight gain. The value of their future contributions is dependent on corporate resolve, but also on interactive guidance from government and health institutions on the best strategies to take and the best research to support. This is especially clear given the complex nature of the causes of obesity and approaches for treatment.