To model the potential value-for-money of implementing proposed unhealthy food advertising restrictions on Western Australian (WA) transport-owned assets to prevent obesity-related diseases.

A cost-benefit analysis using a societal perspective was undertaken to model the policy intervention over a 30-year time horizon. The effectiveness of the intervention was based on a similar policy implemented in the United Kingdom by Transport for London, adapted to the WA context. The ACE-Obesity Policy model, a validated multi-state lifetable Markov model, was used to assess the expected health (quantified as health-adjusted life years (HALY)) and economic outcomes of the intervention’s impact on unhealthy food consumption. The potential cost of policy development and monitoring and revenue impacts on government and industry (outdoor advertising companies) were included in the modelled analysis.

Western Australia.

Greater Perth population.

The cost of implementing the policy was estimated at A$28 million (95% UI [Uncertainty Intervals]: $23-$35), 71% borne by government and the remaining by outdoor advertisers. A mean population weight reduction of 0.58kg (95%UI: 0.28-0.90) was estimated, which translated to 5,906 HALYs gained (95%UI: 2,750-9,084) with a monetary value of A$1,374 million (95%UI: $642-$2,112). Eight percent of the monetised benefits were attributed to healthcare cost savings, while 92% were associated with monetised health gains. The intervention was estimated to generate a net-present value of $1,346 million (95%UI: $614-$2,082) and benefit-cost ratio of 50 (95%UI: 23-81).

Policy to restrict advertising of unhealthy foods on WA transport owned assets is likely to represent excellent value-for-money.

To assess the exposure of Austrian children to TV HFSS food and beverage ads and identify changes in HFSS food advertising after the implementation of self-regulatory measures of marketing restriction.

All ads shown on five popular TV channels for Austrian children/teenagers were coded over four days (360 hours) using the WHO TV Monitoring Protocol, to identify food/beverage marketing, marketing strategies, target audience, and presence in peak viewing times. Nutrient analysis was performed using Nutrient Profile Models (NPMs) which classify foods as permitted or not permitted for marketing to children: WHO EURO NPM for international comparability and Austria’s NPM for local regulatory compliance. Results were compared with pre-regulatory Austrian TV monitoring data.

Austria.

None.

Of 9099 ads captured, 17.0% were for foods and beverages. Most promoted products not permitted for marketing to children according to WHO EURO NPM (81.8%) and Austria’s NPM (83.8%). On all channels, the advertising rate for food ads rose throughout the day, culminating during child/teen peak viewing times in the evening. A mix of marketing strategies and persuasive appeals was used; emotional themes (e.g. friendship, holidays, enjoyment) were more common in not permitted ads, compared to permitted ads. Not permitted ads featured elements appealing to children/teenagers significantly more often than permitted ads.

Despite self-regulatory measures of marketing restriction, children and teenagers in Austria are still exposed to a high number of advertisements for HFSS foods using impactful emotional marketing strategies on TV. To protect children from this influence, further regulations are called for.

To assess changes in (1) sodium content of processed foods in the Canadian food supply and (2) the proportion of products meeting Health Canada’s voluntary sodium reduction targets (SRTs) between 2010 and 2020.

This repeated, cross-sectional study used foods from the 2010 (n=6,929), 2013 (n=9,366), 2017 (n=10,324), and 2020 (n=15,797) collections of the University of Toronto’s Food Label Information and Price database, categorized into Health Canada’s sodium categories. Quantile regression was used to assess changes in sodium content. Firth’s bias-reduced logistic regression was used to evaluate changes in the proportion of foods meeting the SRTs and trends were assessed with Cochran-Armitage tests.

Canada.

Processed foods.

Between 2010-2020, 54% (7/13) of major categories had a left shift (reduction) in their sodium distribution, 15% (2/13) had a right shift (increase), 15% (2/13) had both a left and right shift, and 15% (2/13) did not change. The proportion of products meeting the average targets and maximum levels increased 6% and 4% from 2010-2013 and 4% and 3% from 2013-2017, then decreased 3% and 1% between 2017-2020, with trends for improvement over time (p-trend<0.001).

Although many categories decreased in sodium, some did not change or increased in sodium and improvements in the proportion of products meeting the SRTs were modest and occurred early on. Further actions, such as implementing accountability initiatives that promote industry adherence to voluntary SRTs or introducing mandatory measures, alongside frequent and transparent monitoring are needed to reduce sodium in processed foods in Canada.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Lebanese adults living with underweight, overweight, or obesity, assess and compare the cost of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) with that of the current dietary consumption pattern, and explore diet cost as a determinant of living with underweight, overweight, or obesity.

Data for this nationally-representative cross-sectional study were collected through sociodemographic questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, the Arab Family Food Security Scale, and dietary assessments using a validated food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recalls. Diet costs were calculated based on 2023 market prices using purchasing power parity. Logistic regression was used to assess associations with BMI.

Lebanon, using data representative of the Lebanese adults’ population

444 Lebanese residents aged 18-64 years.

Overall, 66.2% of the participants were living with underweight (4.3%), overweight (37.8%), or obesity (24.1%). On average, the cost of following MD ranged from Intl.$ 23.36 to Intl.$ 26.49/person/day, whereas, a Lebanese adult spent Intl.$ 20.46 on consumption. Only 31.1% of participants spent an amount equal to or greater than the minimum MD cost (Intl. $23.36/day). Participants who meet or exceed this threshold were 1.59 times more likely to be living with a healthy weight (aOR=1.59, p=0.043).

The high prevalence of Lebanese adults living with underweight, overweight, or obesity is compounded by the unaffordability of a healthy MD. Improving the affordability of nutritious foods is crucial to promoting healthier dietary patterns and achieving better weight outcomes. Public health strategies should include economic, behavioral, and policy-level interventions to enhance diet quality and affordability in crisis-affected populations.

This study used the Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) approach to explore complementary feeding practices among caregivers of children under two and assess the acceptance of new nutritional supplements by providing Microbiota-Directed Supplementary Food (MDSF), Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF), and Locally Available Food (LAF) among moderately malnourished children.

The study was conducted between May and October 2022 in preparation for a larger trial. The first phase focused on complementary feeding, hygiene, breastfeeding, and responsive feeding practices using in-depth interviews and observations. The second phase involved counseling sessions and providing food supplements for 45 participants. Follow-up visits evaluated acceptability and challenges faced during this period.

Bauniabadh slum, Mirpur, Dhaka.

65 children aged 6-24 months with moderate wasting and their caregivers.

Findings from IDIs and observations revealed poor handwashing practices, with most caregivers washing only with water, and inconsistent use of soap. Only a minority boiled drinking water or cleaned utensils with soap. Responsive feeding practices were also limited, with frequent mobile phone use during feeding and lack of attention to the child. Among the three food interventions, LAF received the highest hedonic ratings across all sensory attributes, with a mean taste score of 5.7±1.4, compared to MDSF (4.8±1.9) and RUSF (4.7±1.6), although median consumption was similar across all supplements (75%).

The TIPs approach identified context-specific caregiver behaviours and feeding preferences. These findings will guide the upcoming trial and assist policymakers and program planners in developing culturally tailored interventions to address childhood malnutrition in urban slums.

This study examines aspects of women’s empowerment related to the nutritional status of under-five children in Bangladesh, including their age-appropriate food intake and access to healthcare during acute respiratory tract infection (ARI).

Three waves of the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) data (2011, 2014, 2017-18) were pulled and utilized to construct three domains of the survey-based women’s empowerment index, such as social independence, intrinsic agency, and instrumental agency. The Height-for-Age Z (HAZ), Weight-for-Age Z (WAZ), and Weight-for-Height Z (WHZ) scores were used to measure the nutritional status of offspring. Two variables were generated to measure age-appropriate food intake and treatment-seeking from medically trained providers (MTPs) at the commencement of ARI. Generalized structural equation modelling was performed to develop pathways between women’s empowerment and children’s nutritional status.

Data was collected from eight administrative divisions in Bangladesh.

A total of 18706 married women aged 15-45 years residing with their husbands and having at least one under-five child.

Women’s social independence was positively associated with HAZ [0.25 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.28)], WAZ [0.21 (0.18,0.24)], WHZ [0.06 (0.02,0.09)]. Intrinsic agency positively influenced HAZ [0.03 (0.02,0.04)] and WAZ [0.02 (0.01,0.02)]. Both social independence and intrinsic agency promoted appropriate feeding, while instrumental agency had a negative effect on food consumption [-0.0026 (–0.005, –0.0002)]. Both age-appropriate food intake and seeking treatment from MTPs during recent ARI episodes improved nutritional outcomes of offspring.

Maternal social independence and intrinsic agency enhance the nutritional status, food consumption, and healthcare access of offspring in Bangladesh.

To monitor the influence of international trade and investment agreements on the food environment and population nutrition in Canada.

Implementation of a revised version of the INFORMAS trade and investment monitoring protocol to guide descriptive analysis of quantitative trade and investment data over the period 1994 to 2020 as well as qualitative review of policy documents related to nutrition regulations and trade concerns.

Canada, which has 15 trade and investment agreements in force with 51 countries as of 2024.

Extensive tariff reductions occurred in 1995 with the introduction of the World Trade Organization, with minimal tariff reductions since that time. Tariff rates were generally highest on ultra-processed focus foods, though many countries gained tariff-free access over the study period. There were large surges in imports of dairy, meats, sugars, and soft drinks after joining the WTO, while exports of grains, dairy, sugars, processed meats, ready-meals, and sauces saw substantial growth. FDI into Canada’s food manufacturing sector increased consistently, reaching $32.6 billion in 2020-2022. Canada has raised several specific trade concerns at the WTO over other countries’ nutrition labelling policies and some of the challenged policies have subsequently been abandoned, modified, or delayed.

Increased trade and investment openness in Canada appears linked to changes in food imports, exports, and foreign investment that may impact the nutritional quality of food environments. Monitoring how trade agreements shape national food supplies is critical to developing trade policies that improve nutrition in alignment with public health goals at home and abroad.