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Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: National experts’ assessment of government action

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Listed:
  • Laar, Amos
  • Barnes, Amy
  • Aryeetey, Richmond
  • Tandoh, Akua
  • Bash, Kristin
  • Mensah, Kobby
  • Zotor, Francis
  • Vandevijvere, Stefanie
  • Holdsworth, Michelle

Abstract

Nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NR-NCDs) are a global health problem, increasingly recognised as driven by unhealthy food environments. Yet little is known about government action to implement food environment-relevant policies, particularly in low-and lower-middle income countries. This study assessed government action, implementation gaps, and priorities to improve the food environment in Ghana. Using the Healthy Food-Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), a panel comprising government and independent experts (n = 19) rated government action to improve the healthiness of food environment in Ghana against international best practices and according to steps within a policy cycle. Forty-three good practice indicators of food environment policy and infrastructure support were used, with ratings informed by systematically collected evidence of action validated by government officials. Following the rating exercise, the expert panel proposed and prioritized actions for government implementation. Three-quarters of all good practice indicators were rated at ‘low’/‘very little’ implementation. Restricting the marketing of breast milk substitutes was the only indicator rated “very high”. Of ten policy actions prioritized for implementation, restricting unhealthy food marketing in children’s settings and in the media were ranked the highest priority. Providing sufficient funds for nationally-relevant research on nutrition and NCDs was the highest priority infrastructure-support action. Other priority infrastructure-support actions related to leadership, monitoring and evaluation. This study identified gaps in Ghana’s implementation of internationally-recommended policies to promote healthy food environments. National stakeholders recommended actions, which will require legislation and leadership. The findings provide a baseline for measuring government progress towards implementing effective policies to prevent NR-NCDs.

Suggested Citation

  • Laar, Amos & Barnes, Amy & Aryeetey, Richmond & Tandoh, Akua & Bash, Kristin & Mensah, Kobby & Zotor, Francis & Vandevijvere, Stefanie & Holdsworth, Michelle, 2020. "Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: National experts’ assessment of government action," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:93:y:2020:i:c:s0306919220301111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101907
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gershim Asiki & Milkah N Wanjohi & Amy Barnes & Kristin Bash & Stella Muthuri & Dickson Amugsi & Danielle Doughman & Elizabeth Kimani & Stefanie Vandevijvere & Michelle Holdsworth, 2020. "Benchmarking food environment policies for the prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Kenya: National expert panel’s assessment and priority recommendations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Carl Lachat & Stephen Otchere & Dominique Roberfroid & Abubakari Abdulai & Florencia Maria Aguirre Seret & Jelena Milesevic & Godfrey Xuereb & Vanessa Candeias & Patrick Kolsteren, 2013. "Diet and Physical Activity for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Policy Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fanzo, Jessica & Haddad, Lawrence & Schneider, Kate R. & Béné, Christophe & Covic, Namukolo M. & Guarin, Alejandro & Herforth, Anna W. & Herrero, Mario & Sumaila, U. Rashid & Aburto, Nancy J. & Amuyun, 2021. "Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    2. Zhaohua Zhang & Yuxi Luo & Zhao Zhang & Derrick Robinson & Xin Wang, 2022. "Unraveling the Role of Objective Food Environment in Chinese Elderly’s Diet-Related Diseases Epidemic: Considering Both Healthy Food Accessibility and Diversity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Aryeetey, Richmond Nii Okai & Ramos, Ana Islas, 2022. "Process and lessons learned in the development of food-based dietary guidelines in Ghana," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 22(02).
    4. Tanita Northcott & Mark Lawrence & Christine Parker & Phillip Baker, 2023. "Ecological regulation for healthy and sustainable food systems: responding to the global rise of ultra-processed foods," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(3), pages 1333-1358, September.
    5. Parbey, P & Aryeetey, Richmond Nii Okai, 2022. "A review of food and nutrition communication and promotion in Ghana," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 22(02).
    6. Mockshell, Jonathan & Ogutu, Sylvester O. & Álvarez, Diego & Asante-Addo, Collins & Asante, Felix A., 2022. "How healthy and food secure is the urban food environment in Ghana?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 26(C).
    7. Mulenga Mary Mukanu & Anne Marie Thow & Peter Delobelle & Zandile June-Rose Mchiza, 2022. "School Food Environment in Urban Zambia: A Qualitative Analysis of Drivers of Adolescent Food Choices and Their Policy Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    8. Tandoh, Akua & Amevinya, Gideon S. & Addo, Phyllis & Laar, Amos, 2022. "Nutrition-sensitive education and social protection policies have implications for food-based dietary guidelines for Ghana," African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), vol. 22(02).
    9. Mao, Hui & Quan, Yurong & Fu, Yong & Chen, Shaojian, 2022. "Risk preferences, productive investment and straw return technology adoption by farmers in China," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322087, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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