Stakeholder appraisal of policy options for tackling obesity in Greece.
The study aimed to map stakeholders' evaluations of policy options to counter the rising prevalence of obesity in Greece, where the case for action on obesity is only now being made. The multi-criteria mapping method was used to capture and compare stakeholders' appraisals and to provide a policy analysis. Efficacy and practical feasibility were the issues most frequently used by stakeholders to evaluate options and were weighted more highly than cost criteria, which were often defined in terms of governmental costs. There was a broad favourable appraisal for downstream measures offering individuals the skills, information and opportunities to make healthier choices, rather than options to modify the obesogenic environment. Consistently, high rankings were given to educational options, for improving communal facilities and for some information-related options (food labelling, advertising), with particular support for policies targeting the young. There was also significant advocacy by a few for the creation of a new government body charged with intersectoral policy co-ordination. The Policy Options for Responding to the Growing Challenge of Obesity Research Project analyses thus point to support for a portfolio of measures to combat the problem of obesity in Greece as well as an appreciation that political will is an essential prerequisite.
Codrington
C
C
Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Unit (PMNU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece. ccodring@med.uoc.gr
Sarri
K
K
Kafatos
A
A
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011050:Policy Making