The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index: Nederland. Een beoordeling van rijksoverheidsbeleid met betrekking tot de voedselomgeving in Nederland en beleidsaanbevelingen voor het creëren van een gezonde voedselomgeving

Abstract

Overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases have risen dramatically in the past decennia, caused by changes in dietary and physical activity patterns. The current food environment (e.g. easy availability of energy-dense, fat- and sugar-rich, and ultra-processed foods) is one of the key factors contributing to this public health problem. Government policies have the potential to improve these food environments, making a healthy choice easier. As part of the Policy Evaluation Network, Work Package 1 (https://www.jpi-pen.eu/) researchers examined national government policy on food environments in the Dutch context. The researchers asked 28 independent Dutch experts at universities, local authorities, and health and civil society organisations to make assessments based on 22 policy indicators referencing national government policy on the creation of a healthy food environment, divided into six categories: food composition, labelling, provision, pricing, marketing and retail. The experts also looked at 24 indicators referencing policy support domains, divided into the categories of leadership, governance, monitoring, funding, platforms for interaction, and health-in-all policies. The research was based on the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), an internationally standardised food policy assessment tool. Compared to international best practice, the Dutch Government is missing opportunities to ensure a healthy food environment, meaning an environment in which it's easy for people to make healthy food choices. The research calls for 29 specific actions reflecting more ambitious national government policies to support healthy food choices among the Dutch population.