Public Opinion on Food Policies to Combat Obesity in Spain

Abstract

Introduction: Poor diet is the fourth-leading cause of mortality in Spain, where adherence to the Mediterranean diet has declined in recent decades. To remedy this situation, a series of food policies have been proposed that would be easier to implement if they had public support. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study covering a representative sample of the Spanish population (n = 1002), using telephone interviews that addressed nine food policies under four headings, namely, advertising, labeling, composition, and provision and sale. The sociodemographic determinants of support for these policies were analyzed using the chi-squared (χ2) test and Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance. Results: All the proposed measures received more than 60% support. The policies that received greatest support were those targeting labeling at 96.6%, while the policies that received the least support were those directed at banning free refills at restaurants, at 63%. Support for policies was higher among women, older adults, and persons professing left-wing ideological affiliations. Compared with men, women's support for advertising policies was 21% higher: similarly, compared with the youngest age group (18-29 years), support by the over-65 segment for provision and sale policies was 52% higher. Support for composition policies was 28% lower among persons with right-wing as opposed to left-wing political sympathies. Conclusions: The authorities enjoy the support of the Spanish public as regards implementing food policies proposed by experts and overcoming the resistance of sectors opposed to such measures.