Public Health Campaigns and Obesity - Term Paper Example

Health Advocacy Campaign

Abiola Ishola

Walden University

September 25, 2016.

Health Advocacy Campaign

This paper seeks to summarize two scholarly articles that are focusing on the advocacy for the reduction in the incidences of obesity. The selected articles are “Public Health Campaigns and Obesity - A Critique” published in BMC Public Health (Walls et al., 2011) and “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Decreasing Childhood Obesity: Increasing Physician Effectiveness through Advocacy” published in The Annals of Family Medicine (Martin, 2014). The selected health problem identified for this paper is obesity. This is a health problem that affects people of all ages. Obesity develops as result of large body weights and it is most common in developed nations.

Part 1: Advocacy Campaigns for Reduction of Obesity

It is important to state that managing obesity is a core priority for public health care workers in countries that are developed (Walls et al., 2011). Currently, there is a paradigm shift from the conventional use of drugs and surgery to implementation of community-based strategies and improved social marketing campaigns. Social marketing campaigns are usually centered on the premise that people ought to change their behaviour and conform to practices that promote good health (Saxe, 2011).

Empirical information from studies shows that incidences of obesity are on the increase due to the fact that the society is changing (Martin, 2014). There is substantial consumption of too much food containing a lot of starch at the expense of vitamins, proteins thereby leading to high incidences of obesity. In most cases, there is reduction in the level of physical activities that people engage in more in developed nations. The implementation of community-based strategies and social marketing for obesity reduction focuses on sustaining good body weight (Walls et al., 2011). According to the two articles, strategy for ensuring that obesity is reduced in developed nation is by ensuring the rate of food consumption is reduced. Additionally, people should always ensure that they consume healthier foods that do not predispose them to incidences of obesity. It is also vital that people engage in physical activities more frequently in order to help them burn excess fats in their bodies. This will help them to attain the ideal weight and avoid obesity (Saxe, 2011). To this end, the studies suggest that community-based strategies and social marketing processes should promote the sporting facilities, and provision of guiding and counseling services to families on how best they can reduce obesity amongst themselves (Walls et al., 2011). In addressing obesity in high-risk cases, a change in lifestyle is paramount as it aids in weight loss.

The use of drugs that help in weight reduction can also be applied in high-risk cases of obesity (Walls et al., 2011). However, the two studies concur that the use of these drugs often leads to minimal reduction in the overall body weight. The effort to reduce prevalence of obesity should be concentrated on dietary and improved physical activities among people. The advocacies for the reduction of obesity cases among people who live in developed nations require that the government enacts proper legislations (Martin, 2014). Establishing proper regulatory mechanism is important in bringing change in the society in terms of behavior, culture, and attitudes of the people.

Many studies done on health regulations concur that significant health benefits accrue from them. Such regulation ought to be based on food pricing where subsidies can be applied on fruits and vegetable to encourage consumption (Walls et al., 2011). On the other hand, those foods that contain a lot of energy should be made very expensive by imposing taxes on them. This will deter people from consuming them. There should be some restriction on the way foods should be displaced in malls, supermarket and other shops (Saxe, 2011). This will be significant as it will reduce instances of craving for the foods that have a lot of energy since their consumption leads to obesity. There is also need to engage in promoting healthy food and making the unhealthy ones unattractive (Walls et al., 2011). This can be achieved through improved advertisement in all eating places to bring about lifestyle change and eating habits. The two articles are effective in advocating for a reduction in the prevalence of obesity because they have applied a two pronged approaches that include social marketing and community-based strategies, and possible legislations.

Suggested Policy for Reduction of Obesity

This study proposes a prompt education on eradication of obesity as a policy. This policy should be implemented to curb obesity. It will focus on stakeholders by providing them with education that is necessary for reduction of this health problem. They will be more informed about their specific settings and how such settings may predispose people to obesity. The suggested changes to the policy on reduction of obesity are that it should be area specific in order to address variances in culture.

Part 2: Legislative Process

Enactment through the development of an existing law or rule and creation of one

Interpolations to amend socioeconomically state of affairs such as obesity will every so often call for comprehensive social adjustment in general. As discussed earlier, the engagement of the education segment are fundamental in the long term success of the obliteration of the menace. According to Mokdad et al (2001) the need for speedy education as a policy will reduce and most probably eradicate obesity in the society. As there are already policies that are linked to education on the issue of obesity, it is safe to say that developing or modifying these policies to include more public health education will help in this campaign against obesity. Most of the existing policies on reducing obesity revolve around reduction of taxes on healthy foods and increasing those on unhealthy foods, provision of and exposure to healthy foods, putting restrictions on advertisements that directly target children and counter advertising to show the effects that unhealthy foods have.

In regard to obesity, as discussed by Mokdad et al (2001) educating the public on the need to engage more in physical activity, that is already an existing policy to help eradicate obesity, should be developed in aid of the campaign. Teaching the public on the need to participate in physical activity and showing the benefits of the same as well as the consequences of physical inactivity will go a long way in promoting the eradication campaign in respect to obesity. Also, education on the importance of increased active transport and recreation and reduced sedentary behaviour such as playing video games is significant in curtailing obesity as cited in Select Committee on Health (2009). The integration of more hours in the school curriculum in point of physical education will also aid this campaign and educate children on the benefits of keeping fit and avoiding obesity triggers from a younger age.

Explain how existing laws could affect advocacy efforts

Most of the existing laws and policies in point of obesity leave the task of the campaign to certain sectors of the society only in regard to New York Health Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Physical Activity and Nutrition (2009). Take education through advertisement for instance; in as much as the media has done a great deal in helping this campaign, it is not selective on what to advertise and this mostly leaves them to settle for counter advertising. This involves them advertising even the unhealthy products but giving a stern warning of its effects, if taken in excess, at the end. Inclusive methodologies involve numerous stratagems in this campaign and consist of bringing on board all the pertinent shareholders in order to inverse this endemic.

On the other hand, most of the other existing laws such as taxations shifts in regard to healthy and unhealthy foods, pricing and encouraging active transport will all positively affect the advocacy efforts towards the eradication of obesity as a societal menace. Conversely, restriction of child-targeting advertisements should also be imposed as this is a major cause of the incapacity to regulate obesity.

Methods that can be used to influence legislators and policymakers to support my policy

Direct lobbying – this would involve talking about the obesity epidemic directly with the legislators and policymakers. Lobbying also gives the opportunity to familiarize with the policymakers and convincing them why that exact policy is significant and why it should be voted in.

Political Action Committee – this includes carefully choosing the right policymakers. In this campaign for instance, it is important in choosing policymakers who will support the policies presented and who are passionate about fighting obesity.

Grassroots – this involves having a key contact program that allows for the identification of key leaders in the association and having them to communicate with the legislators on ones behalf. The broad based program involves mobilization of all the members to rally behind a specific agenda.

Summary of obstacles likely to occur in the legislative process

Obstacles that may emerge in this process include the mismanagement of funds that have been set aside to do this specific campaign. This is not a new issue when it comes to legislative problems and thus there is need to be vigilant on the spending and budgets geared towards the spearheading of these projects. Another obstacle that may possible occurs is legislative bureaucracies which may be long and tedious and that may end in the rejection of the proposals of the policies at hand especially if the legislator that one chose is not passionate about the campaign. More so, to ensure that these problems do not happen, one needs to work with the right policymakers and stakeholders in the relevant field. Also, there is need to work with the right team in order to reduce incidences of funds mismanagement and chaos in the administration.

Part 3: Ethics in the Advocacy Process

Ethical dilemmas in the advocacy program

Undertaking an advocacy program against obesity is a practical initiative. As a pertinent issue in mostly the developed nations, the need for addressing the issue is imperative in the society. Admittedly here are clear ethical incentives towards the combating of the obesity epidemic. Among the incentives include improvement of personal and public health, generating an enabling environment for effective decision making and diminishing the pertinent societal costs. The beneficial outcomes are focused towards the positive arguments set forward in the prevention of obesity. The use of measures towards prevention of obesity is an immeasurable initiative (Albina, 2016). However, the implementation of approaches towards promoting a healthy advocacy coupled with advocacy is faced by various ethical issues that need to be examined. As such, it is imperative to examine how the different measures can be related to the fundamental societal values such as autonomy, privacy and the freedom of choice. Buchanan, (2015) emphasizes that the measures implemented towards prevention of obesity in some instances may have consequences on the individual’s self-image coupled with the psychological welfare of the individual. As a clear example, due to the notion of stigmatization of individuals who are obese, consequences emanating from measures about justice and equality have not been examined effectively. Despite the prospect that food and the eating customs or habits of individuals handle the needs of everyone’s social environment, it is fundamental to examine the ethical issues. Systematic evaluation of the ethical issues is important to develop a clear comprehension of the ethical issues that impact on the process of research into the ethical issues concerning advocacy against obesity. Therefore, among the ethical problems, as per American Nursing Association (ANA) include:

Ethics about Public Health

Ethical issues that arise as a result of advocating against obesity fit within the wide discipline of ethics about public health. In reference to Rutkow, et al., (2016), public health is in general terms comprehended as a science coupled with an art of preventing ailments and prolonging life through effective healthcare as a result of organized efforts of both the society and healthcare providers. There are nascent disciplines of ethics about health which evaluate ethical questions in various aspects of public health. In reference to Rutkow, et al., (2016) the interventions implemented towards behavioural change lead to the rise of liberal objections about the legitimacy of the state of approaches towards intervention into the personal choices. Within the debate concerning public health, it is imperative to comprehend that there are huge varieties of interventions they are not susceptible to the concept of ethics. However, the implementation of concise actions towards health promotion and advocacy for lifestyle changes raise the questions on how the process can be undertaken. Rutkow, et al., (2016) stresses that making it mandatory for lifestyle change by the medical practitioners for the obese individuals presents the dilemma about infringement of personal privacy and choices. Irrespective of the decision that the obese individual undertakes, the infringement on the rights of an individual is a facet of concern. Most importantly, in the change of lifestyle, it is critical to examine the implications evident in the public health initiative towards making it mandatory for a change in eating habits. As such, making the emphasis on the ethical implications of advocacy against obesity is an effective initiative that requires in-depth analysis.

Stigmatization

Obese individuals across the society have to grapple with stigmatization in their daily lives. In most instances being bullied, laughed at and called names are some of the aspects associated with being obese. Therefore, undertaking an advocacy program towards tackling obesity requires the investment into the empowerment of the society. As an ethical dilemma for the advocacy program, it is fundamental to focus on the societal implications as a result of the publicity that emanates from public empowerment. From the analysis of the advocacy program, it is evident that the social stigma is a facet of concern that is equally evident in the healthcare service provision.

Informed choice as an ethical issue

In most instances, education about obesity is inadequate and inclusive of unclear, oversimplified and overstated messages. As such, in tackling obesity, it is essential to understand that promoting healthy lifestyle should be reliant on dependable information about the issue. As a contemporary lifestyle ailment in the society, it is evident that information being relayed about the issue in most instances denotes organizations aiming towards communicating and promoting their products. As such, the bombardment of the public with advertisements that are misleading and oversimplified presents an environment whereby negative outcomes can prevail. As an advocacy for tackling obesity, it is imperative to ensure that any information availed in the public awareness programs is backed by reliable and factual information. It is unethical to communicate about obesity based on information that is not backed by facts or backing from the healthcare regulator. Therefore, as an ethical facet, in the advocacy process, it is essential that the implementation of comprehensive information relay prevails that is both adequate and cantered on the obese individuals.

Social Cultural Issues

Food and eating habits of the public are related to the cultural coupled with social values. As a clear example, in most instances, food is associated with diverse celebrations such as weddings. Nonetheless, a public health initiative towards analysis of obesity aims towards changing the individual lifestyle choice. Exclusively, the changing of the lifestyle choices is based on the interfering with the values of an individual as such, in the advocacy program, it is fundamental to appreciate the prospect that the program may focus on altering the values of an individual. Most importantly, in public centric campaigns in which advertisements prevail, distinguishing what is healthy from what is unhealthy may pose an ethical question. Ethical questions may emanate from the violation of people's values based on campaigns that are offensive and in contradiction to the cultural identity. As a clear example, the recent campaigns towards banning birthday cakes from the American schools faced significant backlash especially since it infringed on the cultural norms about birthdays.

Privacy

In the research process, it is imperative to ensure private information is not made public. In the advocacy program, availability or access to information on the respondent's eating behaviour, weight and screening to determine the BMI is imperative. However, in the evaluation of the information, it is fundamental to enhance the privacy of the information. As such, the disclosure of personal information in reference to Spears-Lanoix, et al., (2015) is extensively sensitive to ethical objections. Further, the lack of consent can lead to legal redress and cause the intervention problematic. Hence, in the public campaign programs, the focus on heightening privacy forms an integral facet in the intervention programs. Without the focus on catapulting privacy, the prospect of litigation or suing by the respondents may prevail.

How to resolve the ethical dilemmas

Lifestyle intervention programs are important for the society. The implementation of the advocacy programs depends on the emphasis on comprehensive initiatives that are focused towards addressing the ethical issues. Therefore, among the different ways to address the ethical issues include:

Respecting the rights of respondent’s autonomy

As evident, there is a significant need to create new ethical guidelines that establish the standards towards obtaining the respondent endorsement of the public health research. Hence, to ensure an ethic-based research process it is advisable to respect the autonomy of the prospective respondent. As such, the greater the notion of intervention the more extensive is the degree of participation and outreach that require evaluation. From the researcher perspective, respecting the autonomy of the respondents entails maintaining transparency in the research process (Albina, 2016). The potential respondents have to be aware of the information requirements, what is to be relayed. Maintaining an open environment necessitates a research process in which the respondents understand their rights, and none of their rights are infringed.

Ensuring fidelity

Fidelity is an ethical issue of concern in the advocacy initiative. As such, as an ethical issue comprises of loyalty, fairness coupled with truthfulness in the research process. Accordingly, fidelity should denote the researcher keeping the promises of maintaining confidentiality about the respondent information. Hence towards negating stigmatization, ensuring fidelity is paramount for the research process (Albina, 2016). Fidelity should, therefore, denote the researcher not allowing the revelation of information about the patient and his or her health details. Sustenance of fidelity should focus on emphasis on open communication and decision making between the researcher and the respondents.

Emphasis on Nonmaleficence

Nonmaleficence, as an ethical facet denotes ensuring that harm or hurt does not prevail in the advocacy process. Harm, as mentioned, can emanate from the notion of misleading information. As such, in the advocacy initiatives against obesity, it is fundamental to ensure that factual information is used. The use of information that provides "quick fixes" to the respondents about tackling obesity should be reliant or backed by factual information about the diverse products or treatment process (Millstein, et al., 2016). Emphasis on nonmaleficence would be fundamental towards sustenance of a research process that is based on safeguarding the welfare of the potential respondents.

Ethics and lobbying laws applicable to the advocacy program

To maintain successful advocacy programs, it is central to comprehend the ethics and lobbying laws available. The sustenance of the advocacy program is reliant on the conformity to the ethics and lobbying laws available about the obesity advocacy program. As such, governments and lobbying groups have been on the front path towards encouraging a healthy lifestyle. To meet the objectives of a healthy nation, there have been diverse regulations that apply to the advocacy program. In reference to Millstein, et al., (2016) in the advocacy program, among the ethics and lobbying laws that are bound to influence it include:

Food subsidies/taxes and bans

Federal government implements subsidies that are authorized in the Farm Bill. As such, the subsidies are not only used for encouraging the growth of healthy products but also cover a wide spectrum of foods with diverse nutritional quality. However, until recently, the government programs have been focusing on encouraging individuals to purchase nutritional products such as fruits through the implementation of subsidies. As a potential lobbying group, Williams, et al., (2015) emphasizes that the government is a powerful body towards encouraging a healthy lifestyle among the individuals. Therefore, the advocacy program should rely on the diverse regulations towards communicating the need for a healthy lifestyle among the potential respondents.

Lobbying for marketing strategies

In the recent studies it has become that market practices among the organizations in the food and beverage sector are impactful on the advocacy towards tackling obesity. From the research undertaken by Federal Trade Commission, it was evident that child-directed marketing was at an extensive level with the prospect of promotion of unhealthy product such as sweets an issue of concern. The emphasis by the lobby group towards encouraging responsible and ethical based marketing has become a facet of concern. As such, the issues raised have circumvented the ethical implications of marketing unhealthy products to the children, youth, and adults. Most specifically, in the food and beverage sector, the prospect of annual spending by organizations such as Coca-Cola in the marketing of their beverages high in calories has led to extensive lobbying (Buscemi, et al., 2015). The need for more comprehensive initiatives towards encouraging responsible marketing has become a facet of concern with ethic centric marketing initiatives a recommendation among the diverse groups. In the contemporary environment, the government does not regulate the marketing initiatives of organizations to their potential customers such as children. Therefore, the lobbying groups have been advocating for the government through FTC to implement stringent approaches towards promoting advertising that is cantered on the welfare of the diverse individuals.

Nutritional Labeling and Education lobbying

It has become apparent that the FDA in the current environment has been involved in the evaluation of the labeling and production process of the organization through the focus on the health of the people. In reference to Williams, et al., (2015) the initiatives by the FDA have been focused on ensuring that packaged products are in line with the nutritional value such as the caloric content and fat content used. Most importantly, the FDA maintains a focal point in the analysis of the labeling activities of companies. In the advocacy program, it will be fundamental to examine the initiatives of diverse regulatory bodies in ensuring that health and welfare of the society are emphasized.

Anti-discrimination laws

In the current environment, it has become clear that there is need for the development of laws aimed towards ensuring that discrimination based on weight does not prevail. Specifically, across the US the Federal state has been lagging behind in the implementation of laws against weight-based discrimination. However, in States such as Michigan and San Francisco, the protection of obese individuals against discrimination is enshrined in the discrimination acts. Further, Williams, et al., (2015) emphasizes that majority of the courts across the US interpret any form of weight discrimination through the use of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The focus on the regulation has had some significant impact on dissuading discrimination. However, the diverse lobby groups have been advocating for the passing of weight-based regulations that set forth the guidelines that discourage any form of discrimination. It is through a weight-based discrimination act that is based on effective guidelines that advocacy programs can prevail in an effective manner.

Specific ethical challenges for the addressed population

The development of an ethical campaign that focuses on community health is reliant on an analysis of the ethical issues of concern. In the analysis of children within the advocacy program, there are ethical challenges that need to be evaluated to avoid the prospect of litigation. Among the essential ethical challenges include:

Need to promote privacy

Information privacy is an ethical challenge in the research process. In the community-based advocacy program, handling information emanating from children should be through the emphasis on the management of the sensitive data. Any release of the information emanating from children should be as a result of consent from both the guardians and their children. Without consent, the legal implications can be extensive and impactful in the process of implementation of the advocacy policy. All in all the development of the advocacy program despite its dependence on information from the potential respondents should make comprehensive emphasis on safeguarding the privacy of the respondents or target population (Spears-Lanoix, et al., 2015).

Obtaining informed consent

In line with the need for an open and transparent process in the advocacy, it is fundamental for informed consent prevails. A majority of the target population in the community advocacy program would prefer to remain anonymous in the instance that the potential for their personal information to be made public is extensive (Buscemi, et al., 2015). Thereby, as a challenge, ensuring informed consent prevails among the respondents is an initiative that is reliant on both open communication and consultations with the respondents which is a daunting and time-consuming process.

Summary of ethics paper

Ethics is an issue of concern in undertaking an advocacy program for tackling obesity. From the above analysis, it is clear that ethical issues emanate from aspects such as privacy, stigmatization, and informed consent. As a researcher and advocate towards tackling obesity, it is imperative to evaluate the ethical implications in a serious manner. Most importantly, in handling sensitive information about the target population, maintaining an open communication that is characterized by honesty and conformity to the various laws is fundamental to avoid litigation or backlash from the respondents.