Published: November 21, 2024 November 21, 2024
The Netherlands lives unhealthy. More than half of adults are overweight and more than fifteen percent are obese (RTL News, 2024). We haven’t even mentioned problems with vaping, smoking, gambling, stress, and so on. And that problem is alive, we noticed in the editorial office: when we started working on the theme of ‘prevention’, we received so many contributions that we could fill two special issues with them.
The first theme issue ‘Preventive care policy’ – published last month – was about better taking into account the broader benefits of prevention. This second special issue takes a closer look at the role of the living environment in our health.
From individual lifestyle to environment
The role of the living environment is greater than we think, says Johannes Spinnewijn ESB to see. If we take this living environment into account in the research, it turns out, for example, that poor people in particular age faster and die younger due to their socio-economic status and the physical environment in which they live: poorer neighborhoods suffer more from chronic stress and air pollution.
Carel-Peter van Erpecum, Sander van Zon, Ute Bültmann and Nynke Smidt also show that fast-food restaurants in the neighborhood play a role in increased obesity in the Dutch population, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods where fast-food restaurants are in abundance.
While the context determines healthy behavior, Hans van Kippersluis Nathalie Dens, Georg Granic, Stefan Lipman, Kirsten Rohde and Joost Oude Groeniger note that much of current health policy focuses either on the individual or on the entire population. They argue for more attention to be paid to the unhealthy context in which people live.
Rules for companies
Jochen Mierau and Luc Hagenaars see a greater role for the government, which should better take up its role as market master and intervene harder on revenue models that harm public health.
Marcel Canoy shares the same concerns as Mierau and Hagenaars, but does not believe in their solution of ‘dynamic regulation’, because the government will not be able to do this properly. He therefore recommends codes of conduct for companies in the form of open standards that target misleading and aggressive practices, as well as actions contrary to professional diligence.
In addition, once we set rules, we must enforce them. Elisa de Weerd, Hans van Kippersluis, Liying Zhang and Ruud Roodbeen show that this is not the case with the higher drinking age. This minimum age has hardly contributed to the downward trend in alcohol consumption among young people because young people still find ways to obtain alcohol.
Everyone’s responsibility
But the biggest obstacle to prevention policy seems to be the fear of patronization. For example, Telegraaf columnist Bina Ayar (2024) writes about the ‘tyrannical traits’ of prevention.
However, she also states: “No one is against prevention, as long as one’s own choices are respected.” Okay, but how free are those choices actually if the supermarket mainly lets us choose between unhealthy junk and slightly less unhealthy junk? Stricter minimum requirements for the quality of food can actually lead to a more varied food supply, and in a sense to more choice.
Given the role of the environment in our health, it is not surprising to place the responsibility for healthy choices not only with the individual, but also with the parties that influence that environment. This can also be done in a positive way: think of employers who create a healthy working environment for their employees. Nothing stops us all from contributing now.
But if all failswe still have a State Commission that will look at ‘The broad promotion of a healthy living and food environment’ as part of a future-proof healthcare system (House of Representatives, 2024). With this ESBdiptych, the upcoming committee can get off to a flying start.
Literature
Ayar, B. (2024) We have not yet gotten rid of limitless, patronizing health interference. De Telegraaf, October 29.
RTL News (2024) Never before have there been so many obese people in the Netherlands. RTL News, March 4.
House of Representatives (2024) Motion by member Krul et al. about preparing for a state commission for a future-proof and resilient design of the Dutch healthcare system, 36600 XVI, nr. 69.
The Dutch Dilemma: Obesity and the Environment
Published: November 21, 2024
The Land of Windmills… and Wide Pants
Ah, the Netherlands! Known for its idyllic canals, tulips, and… oh yes, a solid half of the adult population deciding that ‘overweight’ is just the new ‘normal’? More than half of us are tipping the scales into the ‘overweight’ category, and don’t get me started on the 15% that are downright obese. It’s like the Dutch have taken “going Dutch” to a whole new level—everyone’s splitting fries and calories!
First There Was Egypt, Now the Netherlands
Now, let’s not just point fingers. Vaping, smoking, gambling, stress… it sounds like a weekend in Amsterdam, doesn’t it? But in all seriousness, the editorial office has become more of a health confessional than a workplace. We had so many contributions on ‘prevention’ that we could fill an entire magazine, possibly two! If only we could fill an entire gym instead!
Environment: Not Just for Littering
Johannes Spinnewijn from ESB pulls no punches as he points out a harsh reality: poor neighborhoods are aging faster and dying younger, thanks to a mix of socio-economic status and environmental junk. Honestly, it’s like they’re in a constant game of ‘Survivor: City Edition’—Chronic stress and air pollution: 1, Residents: 0. It’s hardly fair!
Fast Food: The Real Dutch Treat
And let’s not forget our beloved fast-food joints! Carel-Peter van Erpecum and mates propose that the abundance of these calorie-laden temples in vulnerable neighborhoods is a significant player in the obesity game. Who needs endurance training when you’ve got a burger place on every corner? It’s like the Dutch version of a triathlon, with those burgers acting as your Olympic flame—everyone’s following it right to the pantry!
Government: The Safety Net or The Safety Net Cooking Spaghetti?
Then we have the government, playing the referee in this chaotic rugby match. Jochen Mierau and Luc Hagenaars want to see stronger regulations on food corporations—mark my words, they’re not just shouting into the void. Although, Marcel Canoy raises an eyebrow at this, suggesting that the government can’t even get the public transport timetable right. Dynamic regulation? More like a dynamic disaster!
The Great ‘Patronizing’ Debate
So, what’s holding back prevention policy? Fear of patronization, of course! Bina Ayar, the illustrious Telegraaf columnist, likens prevention to a tyrant in the land of choice. “No one is against prevention, as long as one’s own choices are respected!” she claims. Fair point, but let’s be real: how free are those choices when you’re greeted by aisles of unhealthy options that could make a kale salad look like a green tarantula?
Better Choices for Healthier Lives
How about stricter minimum food quality requirements? Imagine a world where ‘slightly better junk’ gets replaced with actual food instead of pretending that packaged cardboard is nutritionally sound. Wouldn’t that be a riot! It’s not just the individual that needs to make better choices; the entire environment is screaming for a makeover!
We Can All Make a Change—Just Ask the State!
But fear not, dear citizens of the Netherlands—if all else fails, we have a State Commission, the proverbial cavalry at the ready to dive into the ‘broad promotion of a healthy living and food environment.’ Maybe they’ll even throw in a free bicycle with every health inspection. Who’s in?
Wrapping It Up with Our Favorite Comeback
So here’s the takeaway: Dutch health isn’t just the individual’s responsibility; it’s about redefining the environment we live in. Whether it’s creating healthier workplaces or ensuring that your local supermarket stops treating its patrons like subjects of Willy Wonka’s factory, we can all pitch in for the greater good. If not, at least we can all get together at the local gym… or not—there should be a fast-food joint right around the corner!
Literature Cited
Ayar, B. (2024). We have not yet gotten rid of limitless, patronizing health interference. De Telegraaf, October 29.
RTL News (2024). Never before have there been so many obese people in the Netherlands. RTL News, March 4.
House of Representatives (2024). Motion by member Krul et al. about preparing for a state commission for a future-proof and resilient design of the Dutch healthcare system. 36600 XVI, nr. 69.
How does the socio-economic context of neighborhoods influence obesity rates among residents in the Netherlands?
**Interview with Johannes Spinnewijn: Understanding the Role of Environment in Dutch Health Crisis**
*Published: November 21, 2024*
**Editor**: Today we welcome Johannes Spinnewijn, an expert from ESB, to discuss the critical role our living environment plays in health issues, particularly obesity, in the Netherlands. Thank you for joining us, Johannes!
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
**Editor**: It’s been reported that over half of the adults in the Netherlands are overweight, with a significant portion falling into the obese category. How does the environment contribute to this issue?
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: The living environment has a profound impact on health. People in poorer neighborhoods, for instance, experience chronic stress and higher levels of air pollution, which can lead to faster aging and shorter lifespans. When we study health outcomes, we can’t ignore the socio-economic context that shapes people’s daily lives.
**Editor**: Right, and there’s a clear link between fast-food availability and obesity rates, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods. What are your thoughts on this?
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: Exactly! Fast-food restaurants often disproportionately affect poorer communities, making unhealthy food choices more accessible. It becomes a challenge for residents when their immediate options promote unhealthy eating habits. This is not merely about individual choice; it’s about the choices that are available to them.
**Editor**: The government has a significant role to play in public health. Some experts argue for stricter regulations on food companies. Do you think this would be effective?
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: There definitely needs to be a balance. We need clearer regulations to mitigate harmful practices by food corporations. That said, we have to ensure any intervention doesn’t infringe on personal freedoms. We want to foster an environment that promotes healthier choices without being perceived as patronizing.
**Editor**: Speaking of patronization, there seems to be a strong sentiment against government intervention in personal health decisions. How do we navigate this sentiment?
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: That’s a tricky area. Many people support the idea of prevention but fear that their personal choices might be compromised. We need to communicate effectively that healthier regulations in supermarkets or fast-food outlets can increase the variety of healthy choices, empowering individuals rather than limiting them.
**Editor**: What do you see as the path forward for the Netherlands in tackling these complex health issues?
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: It requires a multi-faceted approach. We need collaboration between policymakers, businesses, and community organizations to create healthier environments. It’s everyone’s responsibility to contribute, from improving local diets to implementing better workplace wellness programs.
**Editor**: Thank you, Johannes. It’s clear that to combat the health crisis effectively, we need a comprehensive look at not just individual behavior, but also the societal frameworks that influence those behaviors.
**Johannes Spinnewijn**: Absolutely. Thank you for shedding light on this urgent issue!
