The role of policy in improving diets: experiences from the Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities food policy project

Summary
There is global interest in using multisectoral policy approaches to improve diets,
and reduce obesity and non-communicable disease. However, there has been ad
hoc implementation, which in some sectors such as the economic sector has been
very limited, because of the lack of quality evidence on potential costs and
impacts, and the inherent challenges associated with cross-sectoral policy development and implementation. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities food
policy project aimed to inform relevant policy development and implementation
in Pacific Island countries. The project developed an innovative participatory
approach to identifying and assessing potential policy options in terms of their
effectiveness and feasibility. It also used policy analysis methodology to assess
three policy initiatives to reduce fatty meat availability and four soft drink
taxes in the region, in order to identify strategies for supporting effective policy
implementation.
Keywords: Diets, obesity, Pacific Islands, policy.
obesity reviews (2011) 12 (Suppl. 2), 68–74