To Your Health! Dimensions of Nutritional Responsibility

Opinions differ when it comes to eating. Not only the question of what goes on the plate, but also who is responsible for a healthy diet, and to what extent, offer potential for discussion. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, which increase the likelihood of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer in adulthood, is one of the main topics of debate. The secondary diseases associated with overweight and obesity constitute a significant public health problem.

At the same time, public awareness concerning healthy eating seems to have increased, as the 2019 nutrition report of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture suggests. According to the report, 91 % of Germans attach importance to healthy eating. The figures are surprising and at the same time show a discrepancy between awareness and reality, which also raises questions about appropriate nutrition communication, nutrition education and regulation.

At its annual meeting, the German Ethics Council will address the significance of “nutritional responsibility” oscillating between the poles of self-regulation and external control. The event will focus on the questions of how nutritional responsibility can be understood and shaped in the 21^st century and what role various social actors play in communicating and implementing appropriate measures to promote healthy eating. The scientific reflection is accompanied by presentations from civil society initiatives, who will introduce their ideas on promoting responsible nutrition. The annual meeting addresses the following questions:

• Who bears responsibility for a balanced diet – individuals, society, institutions or the state?
• What if the various prerequisites for a healthy diet (e.g. time, money, level of knowledge) are not guaranteed?
• What role do habits, framework conditions and decision-making architectures play?
• Which communication strategies and channels are appropriate to raise awareness for a healthy and balanced diet?
• What responsibility do the food industry and the media have for advertising and selling products and services?

The 2021 annual meeting takes up the theme of the meeting  planned for 2020. The event had to be postponed due to the Corona pandemic.

Please switch to the German version of this website to see the programme, a video recording and a transcript of the event (in German). The event is held in German.