The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index in New Zealand: Experts’ assessments of policy gaps and priorities for the Government

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 108-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Clare Dominick ◽  
Boyd Swinburn
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
The Government

scholarly journals The healthy food environment policy index: findings of an expert panel in New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 294-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Clare Dominick ◽  
Anandita Devi ◽  
Boyd Swinburn ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Environment Policy

scholarly journals Implementing healthy food environment policies in New Zealand: nine years of inaction

2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Mackay ◽  
Sarah Gerritsen ◽  
Fiona Sing ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Boyd Swinburn
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Stimulate Action ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Abstract Background The INFORMAS [International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Research, Monitoring and Action Support] Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) was developed to evaluate the degree of implementation of widely recommended food environment policies by national governments against international best practice, and has been applied in New Zealand in 2014, 2017 and 2020. This paper outlines the 2020 Food-EPI process and compares policy implementation and recommendations with the 2014 and 2017 Food-EPI. Methods In March–April 2020, a national panel of over 50 public health experts participated in Food-EPI. Experts rated the extent of implementation of 47 “good practice” policy and infrastructure support indicators compared to international best practice, using an extensive evidence document verified by government officials. Experts then proposed and prioritized concrete actions needed to address the critical implementation gaps identified. Progress on policy implementation and recommendations made over the three Food-EPIs was compared. Results In 2020, 60% of the indicators were rated as having “low” or “very little, if any” implementation compared to international benchmarks: less progress than 2017 (47%) and similar to 2014 (61%). Of the nine priority actions proposed in 2014, there was only noticeable action on one (Health Star Ratings). The majority of actions were therefore proposed again in 2017 and 2020. In 2020 the proposed actions were broader, reflecting the need for multisectoral action to improve the food environment, and the need for a mandatory approach in all policy areas. Conclusions There has been little to no progress in the past three terms of government (9 years) on the implementation of policies and infrastructure support for healthy food environments, with implementation overall regressing between 2017 and 2020. The proposed actions in 2020 have reflected a growing movement to locate nutrition within the wider context of planetary health and with recognition of the social determinants of health and nutrition, resulting in recommendations that will require the involvement of many government entities to overcome the existing policy inertia. The increase in food insecurity due to COVID-19 lockdowns may provide the impetus to stimulate action on food polices.

scholarly journals Policies to Create Healthier Food Environments in Canada: Experts’ Evaluation and Prioritized Actions Using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Sahar Goorang ◽  
Kimiya Karbasy ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Mary R L’Abbé
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Promising Practices ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Health Promoting

Food environment policies play a critical role in shaping food choices, diets, and health outcomes. This study endeavored to characterize and evaluate the current food environment policies in Canada using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) to compare policies in place or under development in Canada as of 1 January 2017 to the most promising practices internationally. Evidence of policy implementation from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments was collated and verified by government stakeholders for 47 good practice indicators across 13 policy and infrastructure support domains. Canadian policies were rated by 71 experts from across Canada, and an aggregate score of national and subnational policies was created. Potential policy actions were identified and prioritized. Canadian governments scored ‘high’ compared to best practices for 3 indicators, ‘moderate’ for 14 indicators, ‘low’ for 25 indicators, and ‘very little or none’ for 4 indicators. Six policy and eight infrastructure support actions were prioritized as the most important and achievable. The Food-EPI identified some progress and considerable gaps in policy implementation in Canada, and highlights a particular need for greater attention to prioritized policies that can help to shift to a health-promoting food environment.

scholarly journals Has the Netherlands created a healthy food environment for its citizens? Application of the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Djojosoeparto ◽  
C B M Kamphuis ◽  
F van Lenthe ◽  
M P Poelman
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Level ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
National Prevention ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

Abstract Background Healthy food environments have the potential to improve population nutrition and decrease NCDs. The aim of the study was to assess the efforts of the National Government in the Netherlands towards creating healthier food environments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). Methods We compiled evidence on national food environment policies in the Netherlands for each of the 47 indicators. This document has been verified for completeness and accuracy by Dutch governmental officials. A panel of independent, nongovernment experts specialized in nutrition, obesity or chronic diseases, was provided with this evidence and rated the extent of implementation of Dutch policies by benchmarking these policies against international best practices during an online survey in May-July 2020. The experts also rated to which extent policies could lead to a decrease or widening of socio-economic inequalities in dietary intake. In addition, experts formulated actions to improve food environment policies in the Netherlands. Results This is the first interdisciplinary study to assess food environment policies developed and set by the Netherlands. The overview of national level policies resulted in a evidence document, describing policies (or the lack thereof) for each of the 47 indicators. The evidence document shows that the Netherlands has mostly voluntary policies, mainly through the National Prevention Agreement (launched in 2018) and Agreement on Product Improvement (launched in 2014). Results from the online survey and the formulated actions will be presented during the conference. The results will reflect the experts' ratings supported by documented evidence and will provide meaningful guidance to governmental officials and public health advocates in their efforts to improve the food environment policies in the Netherlands.

scholarly journals 22.D. Workshop: The Food Environment Policy Index for the EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food System ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Unhealthy diets are a key risk factor for disease and premature death in Europe and worldwide. Moreover, the food system is a key driver behind many processes of global environmental change, including climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss. Accordingly, calls have been made for a transformation of the global food system. This requires action in a variety of policy fields and on all political levels. The creation of healthy food environments through public sector action on a national and regional level is an essential aspect of this. The Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) is an established methodological framework for the assessment, analysis and benchmarking of public policies influencing food environments, developed by INFORMAS, a global network of public-interest organizations. In this 90 min workshop, we will present the approach used by the Food-EPI and results from the implementation of the Food-EPI on the EU level and in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland, followed by a joint discussion of lessons learnt and key policy implications. The Food-EPI has two components (policy and infrastructure support domains) covering a total of 13 domains and 47 indicators. For each indicator, policies and actions are compiled and benchmarked against international best practice by independent experts and stakeholders. Based on this assessment, priority actions for reform are identified. Policy makers and independent public health and nutrition experts are involved in key steps of the process to ensure policy relevance and impact. Key messages The systematic assessment and benchmarking of nutrition policies helps to identify priority actions to improve food environments and enhances government accountability for public health. Both on the EU level and in EU member states, governments have taken action to support healthy food environments, but considerable room for improvement remains.

scholarly journals An assessment of implementation gaps and priority recommendations on food environment policies: the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) in Japan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Miwa Yamaguchi ◽  
Marika Nomura ◽  
Yusuke Arai ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Boyd Swinburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Japanese Government ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate policies and actions for food environments by the Japanese Government using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). Design: Public health experts rated the extent of implementation of food environment-related the Policy and the Infrastructure-support components, compared to international best practices. Subsequently, the experts proposed and prioritized future actions to address implementation gaps in an online workshop. Setting: Japan Participants: A total of 66 experts rated policy implementation by the Japanese Government, and 23 participated in the workshop on future actions. Results: The implementations of regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages were rated low in the domains of Food composition, Food labelling, Food promotion, Food prices, and Food retail in the Policy component. The implementations of several domains in the Infrastructure-support component were, overall, rated at a higher level, specifically for monitoring and intelligence systems. Based on the rating, reducing health inequalities by supporting people, both economically and physically, was the highest priority for future actions in both components. Conclusions: This study found that Japan has a robust system for long-term monitoring of population health but lacks regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages compared to international best practices. This study confirmed the importance of continuous accumulation of evidence through national monitoring systems. Developing comprehensive regulations to restrict food marketing, sales, and accessibility of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages are needed to improve the health of food environments in Japan.

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