Article review: "Willpower" is not enough to prevent obesity – a new public health approach is needed!

  • Iván Devosa University of Szeged (SZTE), Faculty of Science and Informatics Institute of Informatics, Department of Foundations of Computer Science, Szeged, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2194-2107
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58701/mej.21853
Keywords: obesity prevention, food environment, behavioural science, public health policy, fiscal measures

Abstract

According to Jebb and Aveyard (2023), the prevention of obesity should not be interpreted as a lack of individual “willpower”: the food environment and regulatory frameworks play a decisive role in shaping behavior. By presenting several examples of interventions (choice architecture, marketing restrictions, fiscal tools), the commentary argues for sustained, multi-component policy packages similar to those used to curb smoking.

References

Jebb, S. A., & Aveyard, P. (2023). 'Willpower' is not enough: time for a new approach to public health policy to prevent obesity. BMC Medicine, 21, 89. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-02803-z

Published
2026-05-28
How to Cite
DevosaI. (2026). Article review: "Willpower" is not enough to prevent obesity – a new public health approach is needed!. Multidisciplinary Health & Wellbeing, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.58701/mej.21853
Issue
Online First Publication (28.05.2026)
Section
Short Reviews