Russia, Taiwan Fight Fast Food

Governments around the world are fighting obesity, and fast-food joints are among the businesses that could suffer economically if proposed taxes and advertising restrictions take effect.

In Russia, the government is planning to introduce regulations on fast-food advertising as part of a national health care program, reported Warc, a marketing information service based in London. Food manufacturers also are expected to face obligations from the Ministry of Health that would require them to disclose certain nutritional information on product packaging, including details about calories, carbohydrates, fat and salt content, the report added.

Obesity rates are said to be rising in many parts of the world including Taiwan where a draft nutrition law would restrict advertisements of children's channels during certain times and limit marketing methods used for fast food, such as giving away toys with meals, according to Taiwan Today.

Countries also are pushing for additional taxes on soft drinks in the fight against sugar and fat. For instance, health organizations in Australia are fighting for such a tax, International Business Times reported. Citing The Australian, the IBT noted Aussies are being warned on TV as part of a campaign about the hazards of a diet that is overloaded with sugary beverages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports than more than 1.4 billion adults (20 years old or older) were overweight in 2008. Of these people, more than 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese. The WHO defines someone as being obese if his or her body mass index is greater than or equal to 30.

The greatest tragedy of obesity-related deaths is that the condition is preventable.