[Skip to content]

National Heart Forum - Championing the prevention agenda
Search our Site
Login

National Heart Forum

Victoria House, 7th Floor
Southampton Row
London WC1B 4AD
England

Phone: 020 7831 7420
Fax: 020 3077 5964
Email: [email protected]

Location: How to find us

.

Research directory

This page lists the latest information on peer reviewed chronic disease prevention research. Please note that if you are looking for an item which pre-dates mid-March 2011 you will need to search our archive news and research directory.

You can also sign up to our fortnightly eResearch Briefing to have this information delivered straight to your inbox.

We also provide listings of the latest news information on chronic disease prevention.

Article title
Government regulation to promote healthy food environments – a view from inside state governments
Citation
Obesity Reviews 2011; Online first article
Date 10 October 2011
Abstract
Food policy interventions are an important component of obesity-prevention strategies and can potentially drive positive changes in obesogenic environments. This study sought to identify regulatory interventions targeting the food environment, and barriers/facilitators to their implementation at the Australian state government level. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior representatives from state/territory governments, statutory authorities and non-government organizations (n = 45) to examine participants' (i) suggestions for regulatory interventions for healthier food environments and (ii) support for pre-selected regulatory interventions derived from a literature review. Data were analysed using thematic and constant comparative analyses. Interventions commonly suggested by participants were regulating unhealthy food marketing; limiting the density of fast food outlets; pricing reforms to decrease fruit/vegetable prices and increase unhealthy food prices; and improved food labelling. The most commonly supported pre-selected interventions were related to food marketing and service. Primary production and retail sector interventions were least supported. The dominant themes were the need for whole-of-government and collaborative approaches; the influence of the food industry; conflicting policies/agenda; regulatory challenges; the need for evidence of effectiveness; and economic disincentives. While interventions such as public sector healthy food service policies were supported by participants, marketing restrictions and fiscal interventions face substantial barriers including a push for deregulation and private sector opposition.