How Coca-Cola Shaped the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health: An Analysis of Email Exchanges between 2012 and 2014
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Shaping the Evidence Base and Framing the Debate on Diet- and Public-Health-Related Issues
“We [Coke] have no involvement in the deliberations about the agenda, topic areas and speakers […] When we host scientific symposia in conjunction with an event like ICPAPH, our role is to invite the experts and reimburse them for their travel and expenses only. We do not have a role in their choice of topics or the information they choose to present” (Email 2).
“Do you think another major source of bias in these studies [epidemiological studies of body weight and mortality] is that most of them completely ignore physical activity, or if they mention it, use very flawed and inaccurate PA [physical activity] data? Why not a session addressing this specific point(s)” (Email 3).
“Obviously the key to all of this [referring to topic ideas for the 2014 ICPAPH] continues to be individual behaviour and motivation—Ideas?” (Email 3).
“Lastly—based on the brilliance of the IOC Consensus Statement—any thoughts/ideas catalysing around the 5 strategies that we can do a deeper dive on—focusing on PA [physical activity] and NCD prevention” (Email 3).
3.2. Promotion of Coke-Sponsored Research Networks and Health Initiatives
“Also thinking of a pre-conf [pre-conference workshop] on Ex [Exercise] is Medicine (or during the ICPAPH) if there’s the necessary time… With the global mix—it’s a great opportunity to drive awareness and hopefully support for more EIM in more countries. Currently up to 40 [countries]–only 167 to go” (Email 3).
3.3. Establish and Foster Relationships with Key Public Health Researchers and Leaders
“Hi Peter (cc Rhona). Rhona [Applebaum] and I just had a phone call and decided to have a session on ISCOLE in ICPAPH as part of our sponsorship agreement. The session will last for 90 min and I do suggest you two think about 4–5 speakers (10 min each) for the session” (Email 4).
“We will help with the travel… so full speed ahead” (Email 4).
3.4. Opposition Fragmentation and Destabilisation through Criticising Public Health Advocates
“First—yes, we helped to sponsor the 5th Congress [the 2014 ICPAPH]. We have been a major sponsor since this Congress started 10 years ago… Second—We knew it was only a matter of time before a miscreant would write a comment re [regarding] our sponsorship… And yes, we will continue to sponsor key health and PA [physical activity] congresses in the future. [We] have a few lined up already—including the European Congress on Sports Science the first week in July [2014] in Amsterdam. We won’t let the bastards keep us down and the minority of agenda drivers must never win out over the majority of evidence-based researchers” (Email 5).
4. Discussion
“The sponsorship [of Coke] was not only financial; Coca-Cola was everywhere—at side meetings, in the sponsors’ hall, giving away its products and propaganda. At a time when sweetened soft drinks are recognised by independent organisations as a major cause of the present uncontrolled obesity pandemic, which notably affects children and developing countries, such as China, India, and Brazil, this is worrying” [36].
“Companies whose profits depend, at least in part, on manufacturing or production, distribution, advertising or promotion, marketing, sponsorship, retailing or representing products and practices that when used as intended can be problematic or harmful to public health are explicitly excluded as sponsors for PHAA activities” [50].
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Strategies | Practices | Mechanisms |
---|---|---|
Information and messaging | Frame the debate on diet- and public-health-related issues | Shift the blame away from the food industry, e.g., focus on individual responsibility, physical inactivity |
Shape the evidence base on diet- and health-related issues | Fund research, including through academics, own research institutions and front groups Pay scientists as advisers, consultants or spokespersons Participate in and host scientific events Provide industry-sponsored education materials Suppress or influence the dissemination of research Emphasise disagreement among scientists and focus on doubt in science Criticise evidence and emphasise its complexity | |
Constituency building | Establish relationships with key opinion leaders and health organisations | Promote public–private interactions, including philanthropic, transactional and transformational relationships Support professional organisations through funding and/or advertising in their publications Establish informal relationships with key opinion leaders |
Opposition fragmentation and destabilisation | Criticise public health advocates | Criticise public health advocates personally and publicly |
Infiltrate, monitor and distract public health advocates, groups and organisations | Support the placement of industry-friendly personnel within health organisations |
Start Date | Email Sender(s) | Relevant Email Circle Members | Topic | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 Feb 2012 | Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk (reply) | Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk, Steven Blair, Kenneth Fox | Abstract submissions for ICPAPH 2012 |
2 | 8 Nov 2012 | Rhona Appelbaum | Rhona Appelbaum, James Hill, John Peters | Coke’s PR messaging for ICPAPH 2012 |
3 | 20 Oct 2013 | Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk (reply) | Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk, Timothy Church, Steven Blair | Research and session ideas for ICPAPH 2014 |
4 | 3 Nov 2013 | Pedro Hallal, Rhona Appelbaum (reply), Peter Katzmarzyk (reply) | Pedro Hallal, Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk | Planning of an ISCOLE session for ICPAPH 2014 |
5 | 13 June 2014 | Rhona Appelbaum | Rhona Appelbaum, Peter Katzmarzyk, Timothy Church | Response to Dr. Hérick de Sá’s paper in the Lancet re: Coke’s sponsorship of ICPAPH 2014 |
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Wood, B.; Ruskin, G.; Sacks, G. How Coca-Cola Shaped the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health: An Analysis of Email Exchanges between 2012 and 2014. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238996
Wood B, Ruskin G, Sacks G. How Coca-Cola Shaped the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health: An Analysis of Email Exchanges between 2012 and 2014. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(23):8996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238996
Chicago/Turabian StyleWood, Benjamin, Gary Ruskin, and Gary Sacks. 2020. "How Coca-Cola Shaped the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health: An Analysis of Email Exchanges between 2012 and 2014" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 23: 8996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238996
APA StyleWood, B., Ruskin, G., & Sacks, G. (2020). How Coca-Cola Shaped the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health: An Analysis of Email Exchanges between 2012 and 2014. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 8996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238996