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Loading ...43% of Brazilians Are Overweight / 43% dos brasileiros estão acima do peso
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009The image of Brazilians many non-Brazilians tend to get from movies, novelas, Brazilian supermodels and tourism ads (mostly for Rio de Janeiro) is that of a trim, tanned, body image-conscious people. But new research done by Brazil’s Health Ministry (MS) indicates the country actually has a growing weight problem, with all that implies to their […]
ACODECO “Declares War on Junk Food”
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009To commemorate World Consumer Rights Day, Panama’s Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (ACODECO) hosted a forum on “No to the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods Targeted at Girls and Boys.” ACODECO’s Administrator, Pedro Meilán, opened the forum by noting the Authority’s role in protecting consumers in Panama and the alarming fact that Panama […]
30% of Cancers in Brazil Preventable
Thursday, February 26th, 2009From World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF): Landmark report: many cancers could be prevented across the globe Over 40 per cent of bowel and breast cancer cases in the UK are preventable through healthy patterns of diet, physical activity and weight maintenance, according to estimates in a landmark report that has set out recommendations for policies […]
Public Ministry Opens Inquiry into Marketing of Breakfast Cereals
Thursday, February 12th, 2009Based on filings submitted by the Alana Institute, the consumer group PROTESTE and the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), the Public Ministry (PM) of the State of São Paulo has opened an investigation into the marketing practices of Nestle and Kellogs regarding their breakfast cereals. Alana and PROTESTE tested 18 breakfast cereals of three […]
Keep Children Lean and Active, Prevent Cancer Later in Life / Prevengamos el cáncer promoviendo hoy una infancia activa
Saturday, February 7th, 2009From the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): PAHO: “Keep Children Lean and Active, Prevent Cancer Later in Life” World Cancer Day marked with launch of “I love my healthy, active childhood” global campaign Establishing healthy habits early in life—particularly eating well and being active—is critical to lowering cancer rates in adulthood, experts from the Pan […]
Obesity Among Mexican School Children
Friday, January 2nd, 2009In a prior post I discussed how growing concern about weight problems among Mexican children is leading to calls there for restrictions on the advertising and marketing of certain foods and beverages to children. A recent National Public Health Institute (INSP) survey of children in Mexico’s public schools details the dimensions of the problem (the […]
“Cereal Offenses” in LAC
Sunday, December 28th, 2008If you have kids and read the labels of foods you shop for or buy, you probably know well the struggle to avoid buying breakfast cereals that are not loaded with sugar and/or sodium (salt). Sometimes even when you avoid the obvious culprits (after all, if the name is “frosted,” most of us can guess!), […]
LAC Consumer Protection Agencies Agree to Increase Cooperation
Friday, December 26th, 2008When I wrote my Overview of Consumer Law in LAC and Overview of Consumer Authorities in LAC, I somehow overlooked any mention of regional efforts to get the consumer protection authorities (where they exist) to work together. Let me rectify that first with this post here, and then with appropriate amendments to those two standalone […]
A Mexican Code on Food/Beverage Advertising to Children
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008Recently the food and beverage industry in Mexico agreed on Code of Self-Regulation on the Advertising of Food and Beverages Directed at Children (Código de Autorregulación de Publicidad de Alimentos y Bebidas dirigida a Público Infantil – PABI). The code of conduct, signed by companies representing about 70% of advertising in Mexico in the sector […]
Diabetes: La OPS insta a luchar contra la obesidad y la malnutrición
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Synopsis in English: 14 November was World Diabetes Day. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) used the occasion to renew its call on the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to step up the fight against obesity and malnutrition, with particular attention on infants and children. The key is a healthier diet (less […]