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Policies to Create Healthier Food Environments in Canada: Experts’ Evaluation and Prioritized Actions Using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

Author

Listed:
  • Lana Vanderlee

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
    School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Sahar Goorang

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada)

  • Kimiya Karbasy

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada)

  • Stefanie Vandevijvere

    (School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano (Scientific Institute of Public Health), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Mary R L’Abbé

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada)

Abstract

Food environment policies play a critical role in shaping food choices, diets, and health outcomes. This study endeavored to characterize and evaluate the current food environment policies in Canada using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) to compare policies in place or under development in Canada as of 1 January 2017 to the most promising practices internationally. Evidence of policy implementation from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments was collated and verified by government stakeholders for 47 good practice indicators across 13 policy and infrastructure support domains. Canadian policies were rated by 71 experts from across Canada, and an aggregate score of national and subnational policies was created. Potential policy actions were identified and prioritized. Canadian governments scored ‘high’ compared to best practices for 3 indicators, ‘moderate’ for 14 indicators, ‘low’ for 25 indicators, and ‘very little or none’ for 4 indicators. Six policy and eight infrastructure support actions were prioritized as the most important and achievable. The Food-EPI identified some progress and considerable gaps in policy implementation in Canada, and highlights a particular need for greater attention to prioritized policies that can help to shift to a health-promoting food environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lana Vanderlee & Sahar Goorang & Kimiya Karbasy & Stefanie Vandevijvere & Mary R L’Abbé, 2019. "Policies to Create Healthier Food Environments in Canada: Experts’ Evaluation and Prioritized Actions Using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4473-:d:286673
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Binh Nguyen & Leonie Cranney & Bill Bellew & Margaret Thomas, 2021. "Implementing Food Environment Policies at Scale: What Helps? What Hinders? A Systematic Review of Barriers and Enablers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Susan Caswell & Patti-Jean Naylor & Dana Olstad & Sara Kirk & Louise Mâsse & Kim Raine & Rhona Hanning, 2021. "Recreation Facility Food and Beverage Environments in Ontario, Canada: An Appeal for Policy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Sylvain Charlebois & Amy Hill & Janèle Vezeau & Lydia Hunsberger & Maddy Johnston & Janet Music, 2022. "Assessing a Nation’s Competitiveness in Global Food Innovation: Creating a Global Food Innovation Index," World, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-40, January.

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