Lack of correlation between antiobesity policy and obesity growth rates: review and analysis

Objective: To review federal, state, and local antiobesity policies and to assess their relationships with obesity growth rates.Methods: We performed a literature review, acquired data from governmental Internet sources, and assessed the statistical correlation between state antiobesity policies and the concavity in obesity growth rates.Results: State-by-state antiobesity policies in 3 categories-taxation of sugared beverages and snacks, physical education and physical activity in schools, and funding for bicycle trails-were found to have no significant immediate correlation with the change in obesity growth rates.Conclusions: Ineffective antiobesity legislation may be attributable to shortcomings in policy implementation. Behavioral economics and addressing large-scale cultural issues may have critical roles in promoting more healthful lifestyles. We propose that a systems-based paradigm evaluating complex interactions among pathophysiological, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral components can improve antiobesity policy implementation and should therefore be a research focus.