scholarly journals A study on implementation of food-related policies in Poland using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Romaniuk ◽  
K Kaczmarek ◽  
K Brukało ◽  
E Grochowska-Niedworok ◽  
K Lobczowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Delphi Study ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Public Intervention ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Study Results ◽  
National Workshop

Abstract Background Existing studies indicate obesity and diseases associated with diet and sedentary lifestyle as leading health problem in Poland that cannot be solved without explicit public intervention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate actions to create a healthy food environment, undertaken by public authorities in Poland. Methods We used the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) to describe the Polish national food environment policy. We analysed available government documents, studies, reports, legal acts and other relevant materials to compile a evidence document, which has been then validated with government officials. In the next stage (March 2020), national policies will be subject to assessment in reference to international best practices by independent experts through an online Delphi study. Results of the survey will be then used during a national workshop (April 2020) in order to formulate and prioritize actions. Results For 15 out of 47 indicators we found no evidence for government actions that would meet the criteria set out in the Food-EPI definition. In case of the other 6 indicators it was observed that the existing solutions are non-binding and result from government-independent policies. The lack or limits of government involvement was observed in particular in the domains related to food promotion, food provision, food in retail, and Health in All Policies. Results from the online study and the workshop will be presented during the conference. Conclusions The preliminary results obtained through the review of the evidence point to the need for intensified government activities in the area of shaping food policy in Poland. Full conclusions will be formulated after the study is completed. Preliminary findings of the Food-EPI project suggest the need for strengthening food environment policy in Poland.

scholarly journals Relative contributions of recommended food environment policies to improve population nutrition: results from a Delphi study with international food policy experts

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 2142-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rewena Mahesh ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Clare Dominick ◽  
Boyd Swinburn
Keyword(s):  
Delphi Study ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process Method ◽  
Expert Ratings

AbstractObjectiveTo determine weightings for the relative contributions of nineteen widely recommended good practice food environment policies to improve population nutrition, based on evidence of effectiveness and expert ratings, to facilitate benchmarking of the implementation of food environment policies globally.DesignA two-round Delphi study was performed in 2015, whereby international food policy experts (nRound127,nRound221) compared effectiveness of all possible pairs of policy domains and good practice policies within domains to improve population nutrition according to the Saaty scale (1 to 9). Weightings for each domain and policy were derived from expert ratings based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process method.SettingInternational.SubjectsFood policy experts.ResultsOut of the seven policy domains, Food Prices and Food Promotion received the highest weightings for impact on improving population nutrition, while Food Trade received the lowest weighting. Among the nineteen specific policies, taxing unhealthy foods (3·8 (0·7)), healthy food provision in schools (2·8 (0·4)) and minimizing taxes on healthy foods (2·6 (0·4)) were given the highest weightings, while nutrient declarations on packaged foods (1·2 (0·2)) and healthy food policies in private-sector workplaces (1·0 (0·2)) received the lowest weightings (mean (95 % CI)).ConclusionsExpert-derived weightings on the relative contributions of recommended food environment policies to improve population nutrition will facilitate monitoring and benchmarking the implementation of these policies by governments among countries globally. Additional weightings for contributions of policies to reducing nutrition inequalities and improving consumer and child rights could be developed in the future.

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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