[Promising governmental policies to prevent obesity]

Obesity is a persistent societal and health problem. Its prevalence has doubled since 1990. The increasing availability, low prices and promotion of unhealthy food has contributed to the current obesity epidemic. There are two structural solutions to address the current unhealthy food environment: self-regulation by the food industry and governmental regulation. In practice, self-regulation has limited effectiveness. The increasing burden of obesity and associated health care costs warrants governmental regulation. However, lobbying from the food industry and the liberal political climate in the Netherlands seem to be hindering the introduction of effective measures. We provide an overview of promising policy measures for a healthy food environment to prevent obesity: financial measures, restricting price promotions and marketing of unhealthy products, banning unhealthy products at checkouts and restricting unhealthy product availability. This requires a reduction of industry influences on policy, which can be achieved by acknowledging and discussing these influences.