DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2004--
Analysis of recent developments in the rising number of cases of obesity in children and its relation to the international food market.
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) has announced the addition of Obesity and the international children's food market to their offering.
As people in countries around the world struggle to fight the flab, it is the growing prevalence of weight problems and obesity among children that grabs most headlines and causes most outrage. For many children, growing up is now characterised by serious health problems caused by being overweight. And as the crisis grows, parents, consumer groups, doctors, governments and the media are increasingly pointing the finger of blame at the food industry. According to these groups, companies producing high-fat and high-sugar foods, promoted to children with multi-million dollar marketing drives, are culpable for the growing obesity crisis.
In response, the children's food industry has scrambled to deflect criticism by cutting fat, sugar and salt levels in products, while developing healthier new products with functional ingredients. Food companies are also increasingly keen to finance exercise initiatives and encourage healthier eating, but it may be too little, too late. Legal cases brought against major fastfood chains may have failed for the moment, but lawyers responsible for inflicting serious damage on the big tobacco companies in the US are now turning their attentions to the food industry.
This report contains detailed analysis under the following headings:
1-Changing family dynamics
2-Chubby children
3-Food companies feel the pressure
4-Government clampdowns in the pipeline
5-Fastfood in the dock
6-Food brands on the defensive
7-Cutting fat, sugar and salt
8-The race for fortification
9-Schools: a nutritional battleground
10-Beyond health
11-Licensing
12-Collectability
13-Convenience
14-Interactivity
15-Novel tastes and the 'gross' factor
16-Online sources of information
17-Free email newsletters
18-Other research reports
19-Global news and feature articles
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c2941