Actions in global nutrition initiatives to promote sustainable healthy diets

Reyes, Ligia I; Constantinides, Shilpa V; Bhandari, Shiva; Frongillo, Edward A; Schreinemachers, Pepijn; Wertheim-Heck, Sigrid; Walls, Helen; Holdsworth, Michelle; Laar, Amos; Nguyen, Tuan; +3 more... Turner, Christopher; Wellard, Kate; Blake, Christine E; (2021) Actions in global nutrition initiatives to promote sustainable healthy diets. Global Food Security, 31. p. 100585. ISSN 2211-9124 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100585

Abstract

Multiple recent global nutrition initiatives have recommended actions to transform food systems to improve food environments and food choice. This study aimed to identify actions recommended by these initiatives and understand their similarities and differences. Twelve global nutrition initiatives were reviewed, collectively spanning 13 action themes and accompanying strategies. Action themes were analyzed according to primary focus on either food environments and their food system drivers or food choice. Representation of the 13 actions varied across initiatives. Some actions overlapped; others were infrequently represented. Strategies targeting food environments and their food system drivers were more frequently recommended than strategies targeting food choice for 11 of the 13 action themes. Although these global initiatives share a mission to improve nutrition through food systems and food environments, less attention has been allocated to individual food choice and sustainability.