Nutrition Policy in Europe: Design or Improvisation?

Alexander First Nations Parents’ Perceptions of a School Nutrition Policy

Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research ◽

10.3148/cjdpr-2019-026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 66-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christina Gillies ◽

Anna Farmer ◽

Katerina Maximova ◽

Noreen D. Willows ◽

Keyword(s):

Policy Implementation ◽

First Nations ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Nutrition Policy ◽

School Nutrition ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Promotion Strategy ◽

Food Programs ◽

Health Promotion Strategy ◽

Survey Responses

Purpose: A school nutrition policy (SNP) is one promising school-based health promotion strategy to improve the food environments of First Nations children. The aim of this study was to explore First Nations parents’ perceptions of a SNP. Methods: A process evaluation of policy implementation was conducted using a mixed-methods design. Parents (n = 83) completed a 19-question survey to capture their perceptions of the policy. Survey responses informed questions in an 11-question semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts from interviews with parents (n = 10) were analyzed using content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to policy implementation. Results: Parents were supportive of the SNP and the school’s food programs, which they perceived as helping to address community concerns related to nutrition. However, some parents opposed the restriction of unhealthy foods at school celebrations and fundraisers. In addition, despite being aware of the SNP, parents were unable to demonstrate an understanding of the SNP content. Finally, parents struggled to provide their children with healthy foods to bring to school due to lack of affordable and accessible food in the community. Conclusions: Although SNPs may be well-received in First Nations communities, their implementation must be supported by parent involvement and consideration of wider socioeconomic conditions.

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Should Public Health and Policy Communities Interact With the Food Industry? It Depends on Context Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool"

International Journal of Health Policy and Management ◽

10.34172/ijhpm.2020.176 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katherine Cullerton ◽

Jean Adams ◽

Martin White

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Conflict Of Interest ◽

Policy Process ◽

Food Industry ◽

Nutrition Policy ◽

World Health ◽

Business Goals ◽

Health Organization ◽

Intractable Problem ◽

Policy Communities

The issue of public health and policy communities engaging with food sector companies has long caused tension and debate. Ralston and colleagues’ article ‘Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool’ further examines this issue. They found widespread food industry opposition, not just to the details of the World Health Organization (WHO) tool, but to the very idea of it. In this commentary we reflect on this finding and the arguments for and against interacting with the food industry during different stages of the policy process. While involving the food industry in certain aspects of the policy process without favouring their business goals may seem like an intractable problem, we believe there are opportunities for progress that do not compromise our values as public health professionals. We suggest three key steps to making progress.

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Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy: Lessons for Alcohol Control Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool"

International Journal of Health Policy and Management ◽

10.34172/ijhpm.2020.161 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katherine Severi

Keyword(s):

Conflict Of Interest ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Nutrition Policy ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

World Health ◽

Alcohol Control ◽

Policy Debates ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Industry Engagement ◽

Health Organization

Ralston et al present an analysis of policy actor responses to a draft World Health Organization (WHO) tool to prevent and manage conflicts of interest (COI) in nutrition policy. While the Ralston et al study is focussed explicitly on food and nutrition, the issues and concepts addressed are relevant also to alcohol policy debates and present an important opportunity for shared learning across unhealthy commodity industries in order to protect and improve population health. This commentary addresses the importance of understanding how alcohol policy actors – especially decision-makers – perceive COI in relation to alcohol industry engagement in policy. A better understanding of such perceptions may help to inform the development of guidelines to identify, manage and protect against risks associated with COI in alcohol policy.

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Stakeholder Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators on the Implementation of the 1000 Days Plus Nutrition Policy Activities in Ghana

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5317

Author(s):

Anne Galaurchi ◽

Samuel T. Chatio ◽

Paula Beeri ◽

Abraham R. Oduro ◽

Winfred Ofosu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Nutrition Policy ◽

Civil Society Organizations ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Policy Framework ◽

Economic Productivity ◽

Stakeholder Perspectives ◽

Nutrition Policies ◽

Policies And Programs ◽

Implementation Resources

Optimizing nutrition in the preconception and 1000 days periods have long-term benefits such as higher economic productivity, reduced risk of related non-communicable diseases and increased health and well-being. Despite Ghana’s recent progress in reducing malnutrition, the situation is far from optimal. This qualitative study analyzed the maternal and child health nutrition policy framework in Ghana to identify the current barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nutrition policies and programs relating to the first 1000 days plus. Data analyzed included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Ghana between March and April 2019. Participants were composed of experts from government agencies, civil society organizations, community-based organizations and international partners at national and subnational levels. Seven critical areas were identified: planning policy implementation, resources, leadership and stakeholders’ engagement, implementation guidance and ongoing communication, organizational culture, accountability and governance and coverage. The study showed that, to eradicate malnutrition in Ghana, priorities of individual stakeholders have to be merged and aligned into a single 1000 days plus nutrition policy framework. Furthermore, this study may support stakeholders in implementing successfully the 1000 days plus nutrition policy activities in Ghana.

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“Just So You Know, It Has Been Hard”: Food Retailers’ Perspectives of Implementing a Food and Nutrition Policy in Public Healthcare Settings

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2053

Author(s):

Kristy Karying. Law ◽

Claire Elizabeth. Pulker ◽

Janelle Diann. Healy ◽

Christina Mary. Pollard

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Policy ◽

Public Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Voluntary Standards ◽

Policy Success ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Food Retailers ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

The Cost ◽

Public Health Practitioners

Mandated policies to improve food environments in public settings are an important strategy for governments. Most Australian governments have mandated policies or voluntary standards for healthy food procurement in healthcare facilities, however, implementation and compliance are poor. A better understanding of the support required to successfully implement such policies is needed. This research explored food retailers’ experiences in implementing a mandated food and nutrition policy (the Policy) in healthcare settings to identify barriers, enablers, and impacts of compliance. Three 90-min workshops facilitated by two public health practitioners were undertaken with 12 food retailers responsible for operating 44 outlets across four hospitals in Perth, Western Australia. Workshop discussions were transcribed non-verbatim and inductive thematic content was analyzed. Three main themes were identified: (1) food retailers had come to accept their role in implementing the Policy; (2) the Policy made it difficult for food retailers to operate successfully, and; (3) food retailers needed help and support to implement the Policy. Findings indicate the cost of implementation is borne by food retailers. Communications campaigns, centralized databases of classified products, reporting frameworks, recognition of achievements, and dedicated technical expertise would support achieving policy compliance. Feasibility assessments prior to policy implementation are recommended for policy success.

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