title: Government regulation to promote healthy food environments--a view from inside state governments.
abstract: Food policy interventions are an important component of obesity-prevention strategies and can potentially drive positive changes in obesogenic environments. This study sought to identify regulatory interventions targeting the food environment, and barriers/facilitators to their implementation at the Australian state government level. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior representatives from state/territory governments, statutory authorities and non-government organizations (n =45) to examine participants' (i) suggestions for regulatory interventions for healthier food environments and (ii) support for pre-selected regulatory interventions derived from a literature review. Data were analysed using thematic and constant comparative analyses. Interventions commonly suggested by participants were regulating unhealthy food marketing; limiting the density of fast food outlets; pricing reforms to decrease fruit/vegetable prices and increase unhealthy food prices; and improved food labelling. The most commonly supported pre-selected interventions were related to food marketing and service. Primary production and retail sector interventions were least supported. The dominant themes were the need for whole-of-government and collaborative approaches; the influence of the food industry; conflicting policies/agenda; regulatory challenges; the need for evidence of effectiveness; and economic disincentives. While interventions such as public sector healthy food service policies were supported by participants, marketing restrictions and fiscal interventions face substantial barriers including a push for deregulation and private sector opposition.
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. jane.shill@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shill
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mavoa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allender
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacks
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crammond
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swinburn
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011634:Public Health; D013219:State Government