News outlets report on a study published by the WHO that shows tighter government regulation of the fast food industry could help slow rising obesity rates.

Reuters: Study finds deregulation fueling obesity epidemic
“Governments could slow or even reverse the growing obesity epidemic if they introduce more regulation into the global market for fast foods such as burgers, chips and fizzy drinks, researchers said in a report to be released Monday. A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that if governments took firmer action, they could start to prevent people becoming overweight and obese — conditions with serious long-term consequences such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer…” (Kelland, 2/2).

The Hill’s “Regwatch”: Fast food regs could curb obesity, study finds
“Tougher government regulations on the fast food industry could help curb a global obesity epidemic, researchers have concluded. A new study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) links the explosion of the fast food industry to general increase in the body mass index (BMI) in wealthier countries…” (Goad, 2/3).