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Wahnschafft S, Spiller A, Graciano BA. How can advocates leverage power to advance comprehensive regulation on ultra-processed foods? learning from advocate experience in Argentina. Global Health 2024; 20:68. [PMID: 39252038 PMCID: PMC11385800 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01069-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of corporate power to undermine public health policy processes is increasingly well understood; however, relatively little scholarship examines how advocates can leverage power to promote the successful adoption of public health policies. The objective of this paper is to explore how advocates leveraged three forms of power - structural, instrumental and discursive - to promote the passage of the Promotion of Healthy Eating Law (Ley 27,642) in Argentina, one of the most comprehensive policies to introduce mandatory front-of-package (FOP) warning labels and regulate the marketing and sales of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) adopted to date. METHODS We conducted seventeen semi-structured interviews with advocates from different sectors, including civil society, international agencies, and government. Both data collection and analysis were guided by Milsom's conceptual framework for analyzing power in public health policymaking, and the data was analyzed using hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Advocates harnessed structural power through the leveraging of revolving doors, informal alliances, and formal coalitions, enabling them to convene discussion spaces with decision-makers, make strategic use of limited resources, and cultivate the diverse expertise (e.g., research, nutrition science, advocacy, law, political science, activism and communications) needed to support the law through different phases of the policy process. Advocates wielded instrumental power by amassing an armada of localized evidence to promote robust policy design, building technical literacy amongst themselves and decision-makers, and exposing conflicts of interest to harness public pressure. Advocates exercised discursive power by adopting a rights-based discourse, including of children and adolescents and of consumers to transparent information, which enabled advocates to foster a favorable perception of the law amongst both decision-makers and the public. Key contextual enablers include a political window of opportunity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ability to learn from the regional precedent of similar policies. CONCLUSIONS Public health policymaking, particularly when encroaching upon corporate interests, is characterized by stark imbalances of power that hinder policy decisions. The strategies identified in the case of Argentina provide important insights as to how advocates might harness and exercise structural, instrumental, and discursive power to counter corporate influence and promote the successful adoption of comprehensive UPF regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Wahnschafft
- Research Training Group in Sustainable Food Systems, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
- Marketing for Food and Agricultural Products, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg- August-Universität Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Achim Spiller
- Marketing for Food and Agricultural Products, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg- August-Universität Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Beatriz Andrea Graciano
- Free Chair of Food Sovereignty, School of Nutrition of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear 2202, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bassi S, Bahl D, Gopal S, Sethi V, Backholer K, Gavaravarapu SM, Babu GR, Ghosh-Jerath S, Bhatia N, Aneja K, Kataria I, Mishra P, De Wagt A, Arora M. Are advertising policies affirmative in restricting the marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in India?: evidence from SWOT Analysis. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024; 21:100315. [PMID: 38361596 PMCID: PMC10866952 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The regulatory Indian environment for advertising high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods and non-alcoholic beverages, on various media was reviewed. Identified national-level policies were categorised as mandatory or self-regulatory based on legal content. For each mandatory regulation, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was undertaken to determine how existing policies could be strengthened to safeguard children from unhealthy food advertisements. Thirteen policies (nine mandatory; four self-regulatory) relevant to advertising in India were identified. Of the nine mandatory policies, Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, is the only policy that restricts HFSS food advertisements to children across all media. There are key shortfalls, including limited scope of 'child-targeted' advertisements and lack of criteria to define HFSS foods. A robust regulatory framework is needed to protect children from HFSS food marketing, not just what is 'directed' at them, with clear evidence-based food classification criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vani Sethi
- UNICEF, Regional Office for South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | | | - Giridhara R. Babu
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | - Ishu Kataria
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, New Delhi, India
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Villalobos Dintrans P, Alliende T, Palacios J, Contrucci I, Browne J. Long-term Care in the Agenda: The Case of Chile. Health Syst Reform 2023; 9:2163470. [PMID: 36696684 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2022.2163470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Chilean presidential elections of 2021 included an unprecedented topic in the country's political debate: long-term care (LTC). Although some public policies and programs have been in place for at least 20 years, during this 2021 presidential election LTC was mentioned for the first time in a political campaign. Five out of seven candidates highlighted the importance of LTC in their proposals and designed policies to address it. Why did this topic gain momentum as a campaign topic in 2021? What can explain the sudden inclusion of a new topic on the Chilean political agenda? Using Kingdon's multiple streams framework this article aims to understand the factors explaining the inclusion of LTC in the Chilean political agenda during the past presidential elections. A two-step qualitative research design was performed using a case study approach. As a first step, a documentary analysis of the campaign programs was conducted searching for references to LTC proposals. In a second step, semi-structured interviews were carried out with representatives from three of the seven campaign teams, including the teams that reached the ballotage. Data were analyzed using Kingdon's multiple streams framework. Results showed that the availability of national data on LTC needs helped highlight the problem and acted as a facilitator for advocacy; international organizations and other countries' experiences in implementing LTC systems served as policy entrepreneurs; and four events-the feminist movement, the social outbreak with the constitutional process, and the COVID-19 pandemic-pushed LTC forward on the political agenda. The case of Chile illustrates how Kingdon's framework can be used to identify facilitators for LTC inclusion on the political agenda, serving as an example for other countries facing similar issues and fostering the global debate around the increase in LTC needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Villalobos Dintrans
- Programa Centro Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile.,Millennium Institute for Care Research (MICARE), Santiago, Chile.,African Health and Ageing Research Centre (AHaARC), Winneba, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Jorge Browne
- Millennium Institute for Care Research (MICARE), Santiago, Chile.,Sección de Geriatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Thow AM, Phulkerd S, Ngqangashe Y, Ravuvu A, Zaruba L, Huckel Schneider C, Collin J, Schram A, Friel S. Protecting children from unhealthy food marketing: a comparative policy analysis in Australia, Fiji and Thailand. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad136. [PMID: 38011397 PMCID: PMC10681351 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children is a globally recommended policy measure to improve diets and health. The aim of the analysis was to identify opportunities to enable policy learning and shift beliefs of relevant actors, to engender policy progress on restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children. We drew on the Advocacy Coalition Framework to thematically analyse data from qualitative policy interviews conducted Australia (n = 24), Fiji (n = 10) and Thailand (n = 20). In all three countries two clear and opposing advocacy coalitions were evident within the policy subsystem related to regulation of unhealthy food marketing, which we termed the 'strengthen regulation' and 'minimal/self regulation' coalitions. Contributors to policy stasis on this issue were identified as tensions between public health and economic objectives of government, and limited formal and informal spaces for productive dialogue. The analysis also identified opportunities for policy learning that could enable policy progress on restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children as: taking an incremental approach to policy change, defining permitted (rather than restricted) foods, investing in new public health expertise related to emerging marketing approaches and scaling up of monitoring of impacts. The insights from this study are likely to be relevant to many countries seeking to strengthen regulation of marketing to children, in response to recent global recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Thow
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Sirinya Phulkerd
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Yandisa Ngqangashe
- Australian Research Centre for Health Equity, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Fellows Road, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Amerita Ravuvu
- Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Control Programme, Public Health Division, Pacific Community (SPC), Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji
| | | | - Carmen Huckel Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Jeff Collin
- Global Health Policy Unit, Social Policy, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL, UK
| | - Ashley Schram
- Australian Research Centre for Health Equity, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Fellows Road, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | - Sharon Friel
- Australian Research Centre for Health Equity, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Fellows Road, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
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Diez-Canseco F, Cavero V, Alvarez Cano J, Saavedra-Garcia L, Taillie LS, Dillman Carpentier FR, Miranda JJ. Design and approval of the nutritional warnings' policy in Peru: Milestones, key stakeholders, and policy drivers for its approval. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001121. [PMID: 37327194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional warnings are used as a public health strategy to address obesity. Peru approved in 2013 and implemented in 2019 a law requiring nutritional warnings on the marketing and packaging of processed foods high in sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and containing trans-fat. The complexity behind the design and approval of these policies over six years provides unique learnings, that inform the obesity prevention context, especially when proposed policies face strong opposition from powerful stakeholders. Our study aims to describe the milestones and key stakeholders' roles and stances during the nutritional warnings policy design in Peru, and to identify and analyze the main drivers of policy change that explain its approval. In 2021, interviews were conducted with 25 key informants closely involved in its design. Interviews were analyzed using the Kaleidoscope Model as a theoretical framework. Relevant policy documents and news were also analyzed. Milestones for this policy included the approval of the Law, Regulation, and Manual. Policy supporters were mainly from Congress, civil society advocates, and Health Ministers. Opponents came from Congress, ministries linked to the economic sector, the food industry, and media. Across the years, warnings evolved from a single text, to traffic lights, to the approved black octagons. Main challenges included the strong opposition of powerful stakeholders, the lack of agreement for defining the appropriate evidence supporting nutritional warning parameters and design, and the political instability of the country. Based on the Kaleidoscope Model, the policy successfully targeted a relevant problem (unhealthy eating decisions) and had powerful advocates who effectively used focusing events to reposition the warnings in the policy agenda across the years. Negotiations weakened the policy but led to its approval. Importantly, government veto players were mostly in favor of the policy, which enabled its final approval despite the strong opposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Diez-Canseco
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence of Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Victoria Cavero
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence of Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Alvarez Cano
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence of Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Lorena Saavedra-Garcia
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence of Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Francesca R Dillman Carpentier
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - J Jaime Miranda
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence of Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Mediano F, Fierro C, Corvalán C, Reyes M, Correa T. Framing a New Nutrition Policy: Changes on Key Stakeholder's Discourses throughout the Implementation of the Chilean Food Labelling Law. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5700. [PMID: 37174218 PMCID: PMC10178804 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The global implementation of structural policies to tackle obesity has been slow, likely because of the competing interests of governments and the food industry. We used the discussion of the Chilean Food Labeling Law to identify influential stakeholders in the media and their frames during different periods of the law's implementation. This involved a content analysis of the food regulation media coverage in five key periods from 2007, when the food bill was first introduced in Congress, to 2018, when the second phase of the law was implemented (N = 1295). We found that most of the law coverage was through elite press. Half of the sources were from the food industry (26.7%) and government (26.2%), while other stakeholders, were less prevalent. Frames were mostly competing, except for cooperation with the law. The main food industry frame used during the discussion of the law was the "economic threat" (41.9%), whose prevalence decreased at the post-implementation period (13%, p < 0.01). No other relevant stakeholders changed their framing. Our results highlight that there are several aspects of public health communication, such as the type of media used, the involvement of scholars and civil society, and the framing, that could be improved to advance food environment policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Mediano
- School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8960040, Chile;
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Camila Fierro
- School of Communication, Diego Portales University, Santiago 8370109, Chile;
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago 7830489, Chile; (C.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcela Reyes
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago 7830489, Chile; (C.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Teresa Correa
- School of Communication, Diego Portales University, Santiago 8370109, Chile;
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Sing F, Backholer K. Strengthening Global Legislative Actions to Protect Children from the Harmful Impacts of Unhealthy Food and Non-alcoholic Beverage Marketing. Curr Obes Rep 2023; 12:1-9. [PMID: 36781623 PMCID: PMC9985549 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00492-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Drawing on current global food marketing policies and the academic literature, we illustrate why and how existing legislative approaches can be strengthened to better achieve the goal of protecting children from the harmful impacts of unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage marketing. RECENT FINDINGS Around the world, governments are starting to implement legislative actions to protect children from exposure to unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage marketing. However, the scope of these approaches is limited and unlikely to meet their objective of safeguarding children from harmful marketing practices. The key opportunities for strengthening legislative design include increasing the age threshold of a child to 18 years; the broadening of focus from 'child-directed' marketing to all marketing that children are exposed to; designing tailored regulations for multiple settings, media and techniques; strengthening underlying food classification systems; balancing a comprehensive approach with stepwise regulatory implementation; and strengthening monitoring and enforcement systems. Our review and recommendations can aid policymakers when designing legislative approaches to protect children from the harmful impacts of unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Sing
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Sharma S, Matheson A, Lambrick D, Faulkner J, Lounsbury DW, Vaidya A, Page R. Dietary practices, physical activity and social determinants of non-communicable diseases in Nepal: A systemic analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281355. [PMID: 36745612 PMCID: PMC9901760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity are major risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. The objective of this paper was to describe the role of dietary practices and physical activity in the interaction of the social determinants of NCDs in Nepal, a developing economy. The study was a qualitative study design involving two districts in Nepal, whereby data was collected via key informant interviews (n = 63) and focus group discussions (n = 12). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was performed, and a causal loop diagram was built to illustrate the dynamic interactions of the social determinants of NCDs based on the themes. The study also involved sense-making sessions with policy level and local stakeholders. Four key interacting themes emerged from the study describing current dietary and physical activity practices, influence of junk food, role of health system and socio-economic factors as root causes. While the current dietary and physical activity-related practices within communities were unhealthy, the broader determinants such as socio-economic circumstances and gender further fuelled such practices. The health system has potential to play a more effective role in the prevention of the behavioural and social determinants of NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudesh Sharma
- DIYASU Community Development Centre, Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal,Massey University, Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand,* E-mail:
| | - Anna Matheson
- Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
| | | | - James Faulkner
- University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Lounsbury
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Rachel Page
- Massey University, Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
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Borges CA, Khandpur N, Neri D, Duran AC. Comparing Latin American nutrient profile models using data from packaged foods with child-directed marketing within the Brazilian food supply. Front Nutr 2022; 9:920710. [PMID: 36532519 PMCID: PMC9755586 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.920710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine and compare the extent to which different nutrient profile models (NPMs) from Latin America (LA) identify packaged foods and beverages with child-directed marketing sold in Brazil as being high in nutrients associated to the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 3,464 foods found in the five largest Brazilian supermarkets. Child-directed marketing was coded using the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) protocol. Differences in medians of sugar, saturated fats, and sodium per 100 kcal in foods, with the presence and absence of child-directed marketing, were tested using the Mann-Whitney test. We compared six NPMs in LA and examined to what extent they targeted these products using prevalence ratios. Analyses were performed overall and by the degree of food processing according to the Nova food classification. RESULTS We found 1,054 packages with child-directed marketing. Among these, candies, cakes and pies, sauces and creams, and sugar-sweetened beverages were significantly higher in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium per 100 kcal than products that are not targeted at children (p < 0.05). Compared with PAHO and the Mexico models, the Brazilian NPMs would allow three times more ultra-processed foods to omit warnings for sodium (p < 0.05). The Uruguayan NPM also flagged fewer ultra-processed foods high in sodium (p < 0.05). The Brazilian model also allows four times more sugar-sweetened beverages and six times more dairy drinks to omit warnings for sugar than the Mexico and PAHO models. In comparison to all other NPMs, the Brazilian model showed the worst performance in identifying baked goods as high in sodium. Chile, Uruguay, and Peru models would also target significantly less sugar-sweetened beverages and high in at least one critical nutrient than PAHO and Mexico models. CONCLUSION Compared with other NPMs in LA, the NPM criteria adopted in Brazil are more permissive and less likely to inform consumers of the poor nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods and beverages with child-directed marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Aparecida Borges
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Food Studies and Research, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neha Khandpur
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniela Neri
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Duran
- Center for Food Studies and Research, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sing F, Reeve B, Backholer K, Mackay S, Swinburn B. Designing legislative responses to restrict children’s exposure to unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverage marketing: a case study analysis of Chile, Canada and the United Kingdom. Global Health 2022; 18:72. [PMID: 35870937 PMCID: PMC9308290 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00865-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Introducing legislation that restricts companies from exposing children to marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products is both politically and technically difficult. To advance the literature on the technical design of food marketing legislation, and to support governments around the world with legislative development, we aimed to describe the legislative approach from three governments.
Methods
A multiple case study methodology was adopted to describe how three governments approached designing comprehensive food marketing legislation (Chile, Canada and the United Kingdom). A conceptual framework outlining best practice design principles guided our methodological approach to examine how each country designed the technical aspects of their regulatory response, including the regulatory form adopted, the substantive content of the laws, and the implementation and governance mechanisms used. Data from documentary evidence and 15 semi-structured key informant interviews were collected and synthesised using a directed content analysis.
Results
All three countries varied in their legislative design and were therefore considered of variable strength regarding the legislative elements used to protect children from unhealthy food marketing. When compared against the conceptual framework, some elements of best practice design were present, particularly relating to the governance of legislative design and implementation, but the scope of each law (or proposed laws) had limitations. These included: the exclusion of brand marketing; not protecting children up to age 18; focusing solely on child-directed marketing instead of all marketing that children are likely to be exposed to; and not allocating sufficient resources to effectively monitor and enforce the laws. The United Kingdom’s approach to legislation is the most comprehensive and more likely to meet its regulatory objectives.
Conclusions
Our synthesis and analysis of the technical elements of food marketing laws can support governments around the world as they develop their own food marketing restrictions. An analysis of the three approaches illustrates an evolution in the design of food marketing laws over time, as well as the design strengths offered by a legislative approach. Opportunities remain for strengthening legislative responses to protect children from unhealthy food marketing practices.
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Is nutrition labeling associated with decreased obesity? A quantitative approach to nutritional health policy in Ecuador. J Public Health Policy 2022; 43:593-612. [PMID: 36195650 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-022-00368-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Few studies assess consumer response to nutrition labeling, especially in less-developed countries. We analyzed the link between nutrition labeling and obesity in Ecuador using a representative cross-sectional sample of 29,770 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) in 2018. Nutrition labeling reduced the probability of obesity in adolescent (12-18 years old) and adult (18-59 years old) people by 4% (CI: - 5.7, - 2.2) and 8.4% (CI: - 12.7, - 4.0), respectively. The magnitude of average treatment effect of using nutrition label on obesity ranged from 0.90 (CI: - 1.299, - 0.500) to 1 (CI: - 1.355, - 0.645) BMI points for adolescent, and from 1.16 (CI: - 1.554, - 0.766) to 1.80 (CI: - 2.791, - 0.811) BMI points for adult. The effect of nutrition labeling is greater among the less obese. We recommend that health policy makers and clinicians continue to promote nutrition labeling especially where obesity is not chronic, where nutrition labeling is most successful.
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Ares G, Velázquez AL, Vidal L, Curutchet MR, Varela P. The role of food packaging on children's diet: Insights for the design of comprehensive regulations to encourage healthier eating habits in childhood and beyond. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Seron P, Lanas F. The urgent need of public policies for promoting cardiovascular health in Latin-American women. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2021; 4:100114. [PMID: 36776711 PMCID: PMC9903792 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Seron
- Internal Medicine Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de La Frontera
| | - Fernando Lanas
- Internal Medicine Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de La Frontera
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Analysis of the policy process for the implementation of nutritional warning labels in Uruguay. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:5927-5940. [PMID: 34313211 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021002469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the process for the development and implementation of mandatory nutritional warning labels in Uruguay, in order to inform future nutrition policy making and strategic engagement by public health actors. DESIGN The study design drew on policy analysis methodology and case study research methodology. Two main sources of information were selected and analysed for the current study: eighteen official documents from the Uruguayan government and 259 news reports, published between June 2017 and February 2021. SETTING Uruguay, Latin America. RESULTS The Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health led a cross-sectoral working group composed of diverse governmental stakeholders, international organisations and the academia to develop the front-of-package nutrition labelling policy. A robust evidence-based approach, based on rigorous scientific knowledge generated in the country, was followed. However, changes in the systemic governing coalition as a consequence of a change in government led to a delay in the entry into force and changes in the regulation. The food industry was the main opponent to the warning label regulation and relied on widely reported corporate political activities to influence the policy process: information and messaging, legal action, policy substitution, opposition, fragmentation and destabilisation. CONCLUSIONS Key insights to inform future policy action in Uruguay and other jurisdictions were derived. Results stressed the importance of an evidence-based approach for policy design and the early engagement with actors from all the political system.
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Pérez-Escamilla R, Vilar-Compte M, Rhodes E, Sarmiento OL, Corvalan C, Sturke R, Vorkoper S. Implementation of childhood obesity prevention and control policies in the United States and Latin America: Lessons for cross-border research and practice. Obes Rev 2021; 22 Suppl 3:e13247. [PMID: 33951275 PMCID: PMC8365637 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Progress has been made in the development and widespread implementation of effective interventions to address childhood obesity, yet important challenges remain. To understand how the United States and Latin American countries achieved success in implementing obesity policies and programs (PAPs) and identify improvement opportunities using implementation science principles. We identified three comparative case studies: (1) front-of-food package labeling (Mexico and Chile); (2) Open Streets/play streets (Colombia and the United States); and (3) the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (Brazil and the United States). Information from multiple sources (e.g., scientific and gray literature and key informant interviews) was synthesized to describe barriers, facilitators, and progress of PAPs across RE-AIM framework dimensions. Evidence-based advocacy along with political will and evidence of scalability and impact were key for successful launch and implementation of all PAPs. Diverse adaptations of PAP design and implementation had to be done across contexts. Stronger process and impact monitoring and evaluation systems that track equity indicators are needed to maximize the population benefits of these PAPs. Implementation science offers an important contribution toward addressing knowledge gaps, enhancing obesity policy dialogue, and producing transferable lessons across the Americas and, therefore, should be used for research and evaluation during PAP development and throughout the implementation and maintenance phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mireya Vilar-Compte
- EQUIDE Research Institute for Equitable Development, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Rhodes
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Camila Corvalan
- Institute of Nutrition, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rachel Sturke
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan Vorkoper
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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