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An audit of local government planning tools for their potential use in addressing community food and nutrition issues
Author(s) -
Good Elizabeth,
Hammond Melinda,
Martin Caroline,
Burns Catherine,
Groos Anita
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he10005
Subject(s) - audit , legislature , population health , public health , government (linguistics) , local government , business , environmental health , medicine , public relations , marketing , political science , nursing , public administration , accounting , linguistics , philosophy , law
Issues addressed This project aimed to identify how local government planning tools could be used to influence physical and policy environments to support healthy eating behaviours in communities. Methods An audit of Queensland's legislative and non‐legislative local government planning tools was conducted by a public health nutritionist to assess their potential use in addressing strategies to achieve positive nutrition outcomes. Ten strategies were identified and covered the following themes: improving access to healthy foods and drinks; increasing access to breastfeeding facilities; decreasing fast food outlet density; and unhealthy food advertising. Results The audit found that all of the 10 strategies to achieve positive nutrition outcomes could be considered through three or more of the planning tools. Conclusion Based on the findings of this audit, local government planning tools provide opportunities to address food and nutrition issues and contribute toward creating physical and policy environments that support healthy eating behaviours. So what Focusing on influencing the content of local governments' policies and plans is important given they are utilised by local government decision makers for determining priorities and resource allocation. Having policy support can assist in both initiating and sustaining related heath promotion programs and outcomes.