9/21 Perspectives on Paternalism in Public Health (Diet)


A public health policy becomes paternalistic when it interferes with people’s habits and choices. A common way the government creates paternalistic policies is when it attempts to combat the issues of obesity and overconsumption. Restricting portion sizes and harmful ingredients, and adding taxes to unhealthy foods are prime examples of how a public health policy can, regardless of good intentions, infringe on people’s bodily autonomy by causing a direct change to their habits. However, there are also options that can help improve public health without necessarily telling people what to do or making them pay more for choices deemed unacceptable by the government. Examples include required nutrition labels and supplied dietary guides. Educational information about proper nutrition can help people make more informed dietary choices without actually making those choices for them.

On the other hand, there is also the current issue of corporations encouraging overconsumption and “junk” food with their large portions and high added-sugar content. They are seen advocating against public health policies because people being healthier would reduce their profits, so they convince people that the government is trying to "nanny" them, not help them. When it comes to policies regarding diet, there is of course, the government’s responsibility to make decisions for the public’s wellbeing, but there is also people’s right to bodily autonomy and the backlash of powerful companies that comes with public health decisions. A potential compromise could be enacting enough policies to ensure that people are informed on how to properly maintain a healthy diet, but not so much that people are forced to follow a diet of the government’s choosing.

“An Ethics Framework for Analyzing Paternalism in Public Health Policies”: http://www.ncchpp.ca/docs/2020-ethics-framework-paternalism-public-health-policies.pdf

“Regulating the Food Industry: An Aspirational Agenda”: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2672393395/389CF6BFA90C4186PQ/2?accountid=14749

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