Obesity epidemic: Do you think new laws are needed to fight obesity?

Researchers suggest a tax on junk food to help combat the obesity epidemic. (iStock Photo)

By CBC News

Canada's obesity epidemic needs legislative approaches such as taxing junk food, setting standard portion sizes and banning trans fat, researchers say.
 
"Obesity is expected to surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality," Dr. Mark Eisenberg of Jewish General Hospital and his co-authors wrote in Tuesday's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
 
The authors argue that a public health approach is needed to fight obesity in both adults and children - and its toll on life expectancy when combined with heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and other illnesses.
 
Some of the legislative approaches discussed include:

• A tax on junk food.
• Clearly defined serving sizes to compare products more easily and reflect "real-world" portions.
• Modifying neighbourhoods to provide opportunities for safe physical activity, such as providing well-lit sidewalks and bicycle paths.
• Zoning bylaws to regulate the number and density of fast-food restaurants and their distance from schools and hospitals.

 
Read more.
 
Do you agree with the report that new laws should be created to combat obesity? Why or why not? If so, what types of laws do you think would be effective in dealing with the obesity epidemic? Please share your comments below.
 
(The survey is not scientific. The results are based on readers' responses.)