scholarly journals Towards a Better Primary Healthcare in Europe: Shifts in Public Health Nutrition Policies

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3308
Author(s):  
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos ◽  
Matina Kouvari ◽  
Kyriakos Souliotis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
European Public ◽  
Health Agenda

The interrelated challenges of suboptimal dietary habits and abnormal weight status have never been as high on the global and European public health agenda as nowadays [...]

scholarly journals The politics of developing reference standards for nutrient intakes: the case of Australia and New Zealand

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1531-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanthi Thuraisingam ◽  
Lynn Riddell ◽  
Kay Cook ◽  
Mark Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Dietary Adequacy ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Key Stakeholders

AbstractObjectiveNutrient Reference Values (NRV) are evidence-based benchmarks for assessing the dietary adequacy of individuals and population groups as well as informing public health nutrition policies and programmes. The present paper presents the findings of an analysis of the views of submitters to a draft document associated with the development of the 2006 NRV for Australia and New Zealand. The aim of the study was to explore how these views were reflected in the policy-making process and final policy document.DesignThe information necessary to fulfil this aim required access to stakeholder submissions to the NRV development process and this necessitated exploiting the provisions of the Commonwealth of Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982. We understand that the present research represents the first time that an FOI request seeking information about a National Health and Medical Research Council food and nutrition policy process has been made and therefore is novel in its approach to public health nutrition policy analysis.ResultsThe analysis of stakeholder submissions identified that stakeholders had particular concerns about the conduct of the review process and the future application of the nutrient values to policy and programmes. There is a lack of evidence that the majority of stakeholder comments were addressed in the final NRV document.ConclusionAlthough these findings cannot be interpreted to assess the validity or otherwise of the set nutrient values, they do raise questions about the process for their development and the adequacy of the final document to reflect the views of key stakeholders.

scholarly journals Perspective: Public Health Nutrition Policies Should Focus on Healthy Eating, Not on Calorie Counting, Even to Decrease Obesity

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C Fernandes ◽  
Débora K Rieger ◽  
Rossana P C Proença
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Cooking Methods ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Caloric Value ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Calorie Counting

ABSTRACT Calorie-focused policies, such as calorie menu labeling, seem to result in minor shifts toward healthier choices and public health improvement. This paper discusses the (lack of) relations between energy intake and healthy eating and the rationale for shifting the focus of public health nutrition policies to healthier foods and meals. We argue that the benefits of reducing caloric intake from low-quality foods might not result from the calorie reduction but rather from the reduced consumption of low-quality foods. It is better to consume a given number of calories from high-quality foods than a smaller number of calories from low-quality foods. It is not possible to choose a healthy diet solely based on the caloric value of foods because calories are not equal; they differ in nutritional quality according to their source. Foods are more than just a collection of calories and nutrients, and nutrients interact differently when presented as foods. Different subtypes of a macronutrient, although they have the same caloric value, are metabolized and influence health in different ways. For instance, industrial trans fats increase lipogenesis and the risk of heart diseases, whereas monounsaturated fats have the opposite effect. Food processing and cooking methods also influence the nutritional value of foods. Thus, public health nutrition policies should stop encouraging people to focus mainly on calorie counting to fight noncommunicable diseases. Instead, policies should focus on ingredients, dietary sources, and food processing and cooking methods.

Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10–12-years-old children in Greece

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Kanellopoulou ◽  
Eleni Antoniou ◽  
Venetia Notara ◽  
George Antonogeorgos ◽  
Andrea-Paola Rojas-Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Childhood Overweight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Processed Food ◽  
High Fat

Abstract Background Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly. Objective To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products’ consumption and childhood overweight/obesity. Methods A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10–12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014–16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children’s weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. Results The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children’s and their parents’ BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant. Conclusion Despite the fact that parents’ specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children’s weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.

scholarly journals Food-based dietary guidelines and implementation: lessons from four countries – Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 867-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Keller ◽  
Tim Lang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Or Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveFood-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are globally promoted as an important part of national food and nutrition policies. They are presented within policy as key features of the strategy to educate the public and guide policy-makers and other stakeholders about a healthy diet. This paper examines the implementation of FBDGs in four countries: Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa – diverse countries chosen to explore the realities of the FBDG within policy on public health nutrition.DesignA literature review was carried out, followed by interviews with representatives from the governmental, academic and private sector in all four countries.ResultsIn all four countries the FBDG is mainly implemented via written/electronic information provided to the public through the health and/or education sector. Data about the impact of FBDGs on policy and consumers’ food choice or dietary habits are incomplete; nutrition surveys do not enable assessment of how effective FBDGs are as a factor in dietary or behavioural change. Despite limitations, FBDGs are seen as being valuable by key stakeholders.ConclusionFBDGs are being implemented and there is experience which should be built upon. The policy focus needs to move beyond merely disseminating FBDGs. They should be part of a wider public health nutrition strategy involving multiple sectors and policy levels. Improvements in the implementation of FBDGs are crucial given the present epidemic of chronic, non-communicable diseases.

Abstract P409: Assessing public health nutrition policies using a novel framework across 30 European countries: Lessons for the USA?

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ffion Lloyd-Williams ◽  
Helen Bromley ◽  
Lois Orton ◽  
Corinna Hawkes ◽  
David Taylor-Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Information Strategies ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

Background: Countries across Europe have introduced a wide variety of policies to improve nutrition. However, the sheer diversity of interventions is potentially bewildering. We therefore aimed to map existing public health nutrition policies and identify their perceived effectiveness, in order to inform future evidence-based diet strategies. Methods: Mapping exercise: We created a public health nutrition policy database for 30 European countries (EU 27 plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), by summarising policy documents, grey literature, web searches and advice from topic experts. National nutrition policies were then classified using the marketing “4Ps” approach: Product (reformulation, elimination, new healthier products); Price (taxes, subsidies); Promotion (advertising, food labelling and health education) and Place (schools, workplaces, etc.) Policy interviews: We interviewed 71 senior policy-makers, public health nutrition policy experts and academics from 14 of the 30 countries, eliciting their views on diverse current and possible nutrition strategies. Results Product: Voluntary reformulation of foods, (especially salt, sugar and total fat) is widespread but with questionable impact. Denmark, Austria, Iceland and Switzerland have trans fats bans. Twelve countries regulate maximum salt content in specific foods. Price: EU School Fruit Scheme subsidies are almost universal, with variable implementation. Taxes are uncommon. However, Finland, France, Hungary and Latvia have implemented ‘sugar taxes’ on sugary foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Finland, Hungary and Portugal also tax salty products. Promotion: Dialogue, recommendations, nutrition guidelines, information and education campaigns are widespread (all 30 countries). Labelling information is widespread, but variable. Restrictions on marketing to children are widespread but mostly voluntary. Place: Interventions reducing the availability of unhealthy foods were most commonly found in schools and workplace canteens (e.g. vending machines). Comparative effectiveness: Interviewees generally considered mandatory reformulation more effective than voluntary, and regulation and fiscal interventions much more effective than information strategies, but politically much more challenging. Implications: Public health nutrition policies in Europe appear diverse, dynamic, complex and bewildering. However, the “4Ps” framework potentially offers a structured and comprehensive categorisation. Most European countries are active in nutrition policy. However, exemplars are few, including Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and the UK. Do these offer any useful lessons for US states addressing similar challenges? In conclusion, fiscal and regulatory nutrition policies appear potentially powerful and should be considered across Europe, and perhaps across the US?

scholarly journals Smorgasbord or symphony? Assessing public health nutrition policies across 30 European countries using a novel framework

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ffion Lloyd-Williams ◽  
Helen Bromley ◽  
Lois Orton ◽  
Corinna Hawkes ◽  
David Taylor-Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Policies
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