Oral

Worldwide more than 30 million people die each year from chronic disease. By 2030, chronic disease will cause 59% of deaths (more than 37 million deaths per year). The major behavioral risk factors are tobacco, unhealthful diet, physical inactivity and alcohol. The choices people make to eat poorly, drink dangerously, and not exercise are shaped by the world around them. Those choices are strongly influenced by the vested interests of corporations that lobby for policies to support unhealthful products, and develop, promote and sell unhealthful products. Marketing and sale of these products are increasingly promoted around the world in poor countries where chronic disease rates are increasing faster than in rich countries. This session will focus on the “fast food” food and beverage industry which produces and markets processed foods containing ingredients shown by research to be unhealthful.

Session Objectives: By the end of the session participants will be able to: 1. Discuss the relationship between the practices and products of the snack food and beverage industry and the global rates of chronic disease, 2. Describe at least three tactics that public health can engage in to ameliorate or prevent the harmful practices and products of the snack food and beverage industry.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)