scholarly journals Community Insights to Inform the Policy Positioning of Junk Food Marketing Reform in NSW, Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 135s-135s
Author(s):  
A. Dessaix ◽  
A. Engel

Background and context: In the lead up to the next state election, Cancer Council New South Wales (CCNSW) will run the “Saving Life 2019” advocacy campaign focused on changing NSW Government policy in cancer control. In developing a policy agenda, three priority areas were identified that required further research to better understand public perceptions, inform messaging and engagement strategies. Reform of current junk food marketing on government owned assets (including public transport) was identified as one of these priorities to reduce childhood obesity. Aim: •Understand how key audiences view overweight and obesity as a public health issue and specifically junk food marketing to children •Find new opportunities to progress CCNSW policy objectives by identifying additional key audiences in the general population; •Build the evidence base for a salient and convincing messaging guide for the advocacy campaign strategy and CCNSW's broader policy engagement and influencing work. Strategy/Tactics: The campaign will seek to demonstrate community support for restricting junk food marketing on government owned assets in NSW to the community, the media and political candidates to achieve policy commitments. CCNSW existing campaign strategy includes tactics across grassroots mobilization, targeted political engagement and securing earned media. The development of strategic research to underpin this campaign, including development of an evidence-based communications strategy, was critical in optimizing communications and public engagement. Program/Policy process: CCNSW commissioned an independent external agency to conduct the research. The research used a mixed methodology that included two facilitated online focus groups of up to 20 people each, followed by polling of the general public. Focus groups were conducted over two days, with participants recruited from a wide geographical spread and constituted a mixture of general population and parents who are the main meal preparer in households. Outcomes: A research and communications report containing an overview of the research, key findings, as well as communications considerations based on the research was used to inform our overall campaign strategy, including policy messaging and communications planning. What was learned: Findings noted that unprompted, overweight and obesity is considered an important public health issue. The specific issue of childhood obesity is seen to be a personal family issue and the responsibility of parents. The provision of junk food by parents to children was seen as a driver of childhood obesity, but the role of junk food marketing and its regulation was not top-of-mind. When prompted, the idea of banning junk food advertising on public transport was an action that could be taken by government to tackle childhood obesity, with children perceived as being vulnerable and requiring protection.

Author(s):  
Sudhanshu Mishra ◽  
Pratibha Gupta ◽  
Mrinal Ranjan Srivastava ◽  
Beena Sachan ◽  
Zeashan Haider Zaidi

Background: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Obesity has become a global public health issue and is widely recognized as a key risk factor for coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and many other health problems. The objectives of present study were to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with socio-demographic factors amongst school-going adolescents in Lucknow district.Methods: This study was a school-based cross-sectional study and was carried out in urban and rural areas of Lucknow, from January 2018 to June 2018. Sample size was 620. A multi-stage random sampling technique has been used to select the required sample size. Data analysis was done using software MS Office excel and SPSS 18 for windows.Results: A total of 620 adolescents were studied. Majority (82.1%) of adolescents were found to be non-overweight/obese while 17.9% were found to be overweight/obese. Majority (66.7%) of students were overweight or obese, belonging to social class I while only 15.7% students were overweight or obese belonging to social class V.Conclusions: The results of our study show that overweight/obesity continues to be a public health concern in adolescents. The current study shows that adolescent overweight and obesity are increasing even in low socio-economic status. Emphasis should be placed on awareness program for obesity prevention among school students by strengthening lifestyle change.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adhra Al-Mawali ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
Magdi Morsi ◽  
Waleed Al-Shekaili ◽  
Avinash Daniel Pinto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) represent a major public health issue and currently are the cause of 71% of deaths globally and 72% deaths in Oman. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive, up-to-date and internationally comparable data on NCD risk factors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing public health policies and to develop further NCD prevention and control interventions. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based, up-to-date, extensive, and reliable baseline data on the behavioural and biological risk factors of NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman.Methods A cross-sectional community‐based survey designed to be nationally representative of the Sultanate of Oman was conducted based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Multi-stage stratified random sampling according to geographical distribution selected a total of 9053 households (Omani nationals and non-Omani residents). Cluster sampling was used and symmetric equal number of blocks were chosen in each governorate with 823 households chosen from each governorate and one eligible adult selected from each household randomly. The survey used demographic and behavioural information questionnaires along with physical and biochemical measurements among adults aged 18 years and above.Results The prevalence of behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use was 9%, alcohol consumption was 2%, insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was 61%, and insufficient physical activity was 39%. The prevalence of biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity was 66%, raised blood pressure was 33%, raised blood glucose was 16%, and raised blood cholesterol was 36%. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was also determined and 95% of the population were found to have more than one risk factor. Three or more risk factors were found among 33% of population aged 18–69 years and 45% of the population aged 45 years.Conclusions These findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related policies and action plans that improve health status and prevent mortality due to NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman.


Hepatitis B and C infections are known to be the major public health issue around the world. Our focus is to investigate the predominance of HBV and HCV infections in the general population of district Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Blood samples were taken from 652 individuals and were shifted to Alkhedmat laboratory Mansehra and Department of Microbiology Hazara University Mansehra. Serum were isolated from blood samples and screen it by ICT device Kit (Accurate Diagnostics, Houston, Texas, USA). The ICT positive samples were then refined by PCR method. Total 652 individuals [males (368), females (284)] were screened for HBV and HCV infections in which total 37 (5.67%) [males (6.52%) and females (4.57%)] were found positive for HBsAg and 42 (6.44%) [males (7.33%) and females (5.28%)] were found positive for Anti HCV respectively. The ratio of these viral infections is more predominant as compare to other viral infections in Mansehra, Pakistan. The rate of HBV and HCV prevalence is increasing day by day in these areas. Communities with more than 5% HBV and HCV disease, mass vaccination and awareness programs should be undertaken as a matter of urgency.


2021 ◽  
pp. 027614672110543
Author(s):  
Myriam Ertz ◽  
Guillaume Le Bouhart

During the last two decades, childhood obesity has become a global pandemic, creating harmful impacts on children, tutors, and society. If the obesity/overweight trend continues upwards, especially in developing countries, it may significantly alter millions of children's professional, social, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, it is conceivable that when obesity/overweight issues appear at a young age, they may persist during adulthood and disrupt individual development and community well-being. By targeting children at a very young age and with a broad array of strategies, junk food marketers have often been accused of inducing children to (over)consume junk food from an early age and throughout adolescence until adulthood. This paper reviews the literature about childhood obesity/overweight and junk food marketing strategies to develop a conceptual framework delineating the forces and counter-forces to the childhood obesity phenomenon and identify avenues for future research and managers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adhra Al-Mawali ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
Magdi Morsi ◽  
Waleed Al-Shekaili ◽  
Avinash Daniel Pinto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) represent a major public health issue and currently are the cause of 71% of deaths globally and 72% deaths in Oman. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive, up-to-date and internationally comparable data on NCD risk factors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing public health policies and to develop further NCD prevention and control interventions. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based, up-to-date, extensive, and reliable baseline data on the behavioural and biological risk factors of NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods A cross‐sectional community‐based survey designed to be nationally representative of the Sultanate of Oman was conducted based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Multi-stage stratified random sampling according to geographical distribution selected a total of 9053 households (Omani nationals and non-Omani residents). Cluster sampling was used and symmetric equal number of blocks were chosen in each governorate with 823 households chosen from each governorate and one eligible adult selected from each household randomly. The survey used demographic and behavioural information questionnaires along with physical and biochemical measurements among adults aged 18 years and above. Results The prevalence of behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use was 9%, alcohol consumption was 2%, insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was 61%, and insufficient physical activity was 39%. The prevalence of biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity was 66%, raised blood pressure was 33%, raised blood glucose was 16%, and raised blood cholesterol was 36%. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was also determined and 95% of the population were found to have more than one risk factor. Three or more risk factors were found among 33% of population aged 18 years and above and 45% of the population aged 45 years and above. Conclusions These findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related policies and action plans that improve health status and prevent mortality due to NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman.


Lupus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1577-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
R R Singh ◽  
E Y Yen

Despite a marked improvement in 10-year survival for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients over the past five decades, mortality rates from SLE remain high compared to those in the general population. SLE was also among the leading causes of death in young women in the United States during 2000–2015. However, it is encouraging that SLE mortality rates and the ratios of SLE mortality rates to non-SLE mortality rates have decreased every year since the late 1990s. Despite this improvement, disparities in SLE mortality persist according to sex, race, age, and place of residence. Furthermore, demographic and geographic variables seem to modify the effect of each other in influencing SLE mortality, leading to interactions between sex/race/ethnicity-associated factors and geographic differences. In other words, individuals of the same sex/race/ethnicity had differences in SLE mortality depending on where they lived. These observations highlight SLE as an important public health issue. The recognition of SLE as a leading cause of death in the general population might spur targeted public health programs and research funding to address the high lupus mortality.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (01) ◽  
pp. 001-005 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ornelas ◽  
J. Francica ◽  
R. Wichi ◽  
L. Maifrino

AbstractObesity is a universal disease of increasing prevalence and currently assumes epidemiological characteristic, as a main public health issue in contemporary society. Results from genetic, behavioral and environmental factors and it may start at any age. However, obesity appears at early ages predisposes to its presence at later ages bringing several complications, particularly the development of cardiovascular disease. The analysis indicates that autonomic dysfunction seems to be presented among the majority of risk factors that develop this disease, suggesting the need for a deeper study of this mechanism in children population


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Warth ◽  
N Beckmann ◽  
M-T Puth ◽  
J Tillmann ◽  
J Porz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background About ten percent of European households across all socioeconomic groups are considered over-indebted due to ongoing difficulties meeting financial commitments and living expenses. Studies found an association between over-indebtedness and physical and mental health such as depression independent of standard socioeconomic status measures. However, antidepressant use in the over-indebted population has been understudied. In view of the substantial economic and social burden of mental illness in Europe, the aim of this study was to examine the association between over-indebtedness and antidepressant use in Germany to advance the understanding of socioeconomic inequalities in mental health. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among clients of 70 debt advice agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 2017 (OID), and merged data with the first wave of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (DEGS1) representative of the general population. We used descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis to examine antidepressant use in the previous 7 days (OID: n = 699; DEGS1: n = 7115). Results Antidepressant use was more frequent in the over-indebted (12.3%) compared to the general population sample (5.0%). After adjustment for age, sex, education, employment, marital status and chronic disease, over-indebted respondents were more likely to use antidepressants than the general population sample (aOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.35-2.48). Conclusions Prevalence of antidepressant use was higher in the over-indebted compared to the general population. The association between over-indebtedness and antidepressant use cannot be fully explained by standard socioeconomic measures. Over-indebtedness reflects a relevant public health issue that needs to be addressed in health care, social policy and research. There is an urgent need to develop public health activities that specifically target those at risk of mental illness and over-indebtedness. Key messages Over-indebtedness is associated with antidepressant use. Public health interventions are needed to prevent adverse health effects of over-indebtedness and safeguard access to care according to need.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259239
Author(s):  
Adhra Al-Mawali ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
Magdi Morsi ◽  
Waleed Al-Shekaili ◽  
Avinash Daniel Pinto ◽  
...  

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCD) represent a major public health issue and currently cause 185.75 deaths per 100,000 population in Oman. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive, up-to-date and internationally comparable data on NCD risk factors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing public health policies and to develop further NCD prevention and control interventions. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based, up-to-date, extensive, and reliable baseline data on the behavioural and biological risk factors of NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods A cross‐sectional, prospective, observational community‐based survey designed to be nationally representative of the Sultanate of Oman was conducted based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Multi-stage stratified random sampling according to geographical distribution selected a total of 9053 households (Omani nationals and non-Omani residents). Cluster sampling was used to randomly select equal clusters from each governorate. 823 households were randomly selected from the list of all households in all selected clusters from each governorate and one eligible adult selected from each household randomly accounting for 6582 consenting participants. The survey used demographic and behavioural information questionnaires along with physical and biochemical measurements among adults aged 18 years and above. Results The prevalence of behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use was 9%, alcohol consumption was 2%, insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was 61%, and insufficient physical activity was 39%. The prevalence of biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity was 66%, raised blood pressure was 33%, raised blood glucose was 16%, and raised blood cholesterol was 36%. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was also determined and 95% of the population were found to have more than one risk factor. Three or more risk factors were found among 33% of population aged 18 years and above and 45% of the population aged 45 years and above. Conclusion A high prevalence of various NCD risk factors was found which needs to be addressed through health promotion, education, and policy. The findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related policies and action plans that improve health status and prevent mortality due to NCDs in Oman.


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