Supported by the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers grant number U01 ES012800 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute.
The prevalence of obesity among pre-puberty females in the United States has grown to alarming levels in recent years, especially among lower income and minority populations. Because obesity among girls is a key risk factor for later breast cancer, it’s important to address the determinants of obesity and identify approaches for preventing this condition.
The food industry plays an enormous role in influencing the eating habits of young people, including pre-adolescent girls. For several decades, increasing concerns have been raised about the potentially harmful impact of food advertising and marketing practices directed to children and youth. These younger age groups are considered vulnerable because they are unsophisticated consumers who are tempted by enticing TV commercials and tasty products marketed in grocery stores and child-friendly restaurants. Research has shown that these sales practices lead to greater consumption of high-fat high-calorie foods, notably sugary cereals, candy, snack items, soft drinks, and fried fast foods. Traditionally, the food industry has seldom promoted nutritious foods young people; there are few messages that effectively promote foods that may serve as protective factors for breast cancer.
A variety of government agencies, health organizations, and community groups have undertaken extensive prevention campaigns to educate children and their parents about proper eating patterns and effective practices for managing weight. These initiatives have attained only limited success; obesity rates remain stubbornly persistent and solving the problem requires more elaborate forms of intervention than the modest flow of messages that are primarily targeted at the individual level.
To achieve meaningful progress, a comprehensive strategy is needed to leverage and combat the multi-faceted influences in the broader environment. A promising approach focuses on impelling systems-level reforms that will facilitate nutritious choices and restrict glamorization of unhealthy foods. Recently, the first meaningful steps have been undertaken to regulate advertising and marketing, with participation by government agencies, schools, cable and network television, and leading companies in the food industry. This control-oriented approach for reducing unhealthy diets is complemented by positive efforts to promote healthy food options; pro-nutrition programs are aimed at both young people and their parents, who mutually determine eating choices.
The presentation reviews emerging reforms and specifies significant issues that remain to be addressed. An array of advocacy groups is involved in consolidating the tentative progress being made and extending these initiatives in new directions, and the potential role of breast cancer advocates will be discussed.