How can National Government Policies Improve Food Environments in the Netherlands?

Sanne K. Djojosoeparto*, Carlijn B.M. Kamphuis, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Maartje P. Poelman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Government policies are essential to create food environments that support healthy diets. The aims of this study were 1) to benchmark the implementation of Dutch government policies influencing food environments, and 2) to identify and prioritize actions to improve food environments in the Netherlands. Methods: The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) was applied. The Food-EPI includes 46 indicators of food environment policy and infrastructure support. Independent experts (n = 28) rated the extent of implementation on these indicators against international best practices, and formulated and prioritized policy and infrastructure support actions to improve food environments. Results: Most policy indicators were rated as having a low (50%) or very low (41%) level of implementation. Most infrastructure support indicators were rated as having a fair (42%) or medium (42%) level of implementation. 18 policy and 11 infrastructure support actions were recommended by experts to improve food environments in the Netherlands. Conclusion: There is large potential for the Dutch national government to strengthen its policy action and infrastructure support in order to improve the healthiness of food environments in the Netherlands.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1604115
JournalInternational Journal of Public Health
Volume67
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • food environment
  • government
  • infrastructure support
  • obesity
  • overweight
  • policies
  • public health

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