Incorporating fast food restaurants’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to reduce globesity: a concept paper

An escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity taking over many parts of the world urges the World Health Organization (WHO) to introduce “globesity” term. Globesity is a serious public health problem as its health consequences range from increased risk of premature death to serious diet-related noncommunicable diseases and eventually reduce the quality of life. Globesity among the young generation has become one of the most critical challenges to global health in the 21st century. This conceptual paper discusses about the globesity issue lingering the young generation in Malaysia. Practising a nutritious diet, being physically active and maintaining healthy body weight are essential for the young generation to achieve a sustainable and quality lives. Young generation who are exposed to health information about healthy products provided on the fast-food menu stimulates healthy food choice. Several past studies posit that health-related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices by the fast-food restaurants are helpful to shape healthy dietary patterns among the consumers. Nevertheless, limited study conducted to examine the Carroll’s CSR pyramid model dimension towards reducing the rise of globesity among Malaysian young generation. Therefore, this conceptual paper reviewed the existing literatures that widely debate on globesity epidemic and proposed research framework to untangle this issue through CSR practices.