Open AccessPolicies to promote healthy eating in Europe: a structured review of policies and their effectiveness
Author(s) -
Capacci Sara,
Mazzocchi Mario,
Shankar Bhavani,
Brambila Macias José,
Verbeke Wim,
PérezCueto Federico JA,
KoziołKozakowska Agnieszka,
Piórecka Beata,
Niedzwiedzka Barbara,
D'Addesa Dina,
Saba Anna,
Turrini Aida,
AschemannWitzel Jessica,
BechLarsen Tino,
Strand Mathias,
Smillie Laura,
Wills Josephine,
Traill W Bruce
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00442.x
Subject(s) - grey literature , psychological intervention , government (linguistics) , public policy , european commission , public economics , evidence based policy , systematic review , commission , political science , selection (genetic algorithm) , public relations , business , medline , european union , medicine , economics , alternative medicine , computer science , nursing , economic policy , linguistics , philosophy , pathology , artificial intelligence , law
This review provides a classification of public policies to promote healthier eating as well as a structured mapping of existing measures in Europe. Complete coverage of alternative policy types was ensured by complementing the review with a selection of major interventions from outside Europe. Under the auspices of the Seventh Framework Programme's Eatwell Project, funded by the European Commission, researchers from five countries reviewed a representative selection of policy actions based on scientific papers, policy documents, grey literature, government websites, other policy reviews, and interviews with policy‐makers. This work resulted in a list of 129 policy interventions, 121 of which were in Europe. For each type of policy, a critical review of its effectiveness was conducted, based on the evidence currently available. The results of this review indicate a need exists for a more systematic and accurate evaluation of government‐level interventions as well as for a stronger focus on actual behavioral change rather than changes in attitude or intentions alone. The currently available evidence is very heterogeneous across policy types and is often incomplete.