An audit of local government planning tools for their potential use in addressing community food and nutrition issues.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Good
Elizabeth
E
Queensland Health. elizabeth_good@health.qld.gov.au
Hammond
Melinda
M
Martin
Caroline
C
Burns
Catherine
C
Groos
Anita
A
D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003256:Community Participation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care