Prevention of childhood obesity and food policies in Latin America: from research to practice

Abstract

Summary Background Addressing childhood obesity in Latin America requires a package of multisectoral, evidence‐based policies that enable environments conducive to healthy lifestyles. Objective Identify and examine key elements to translating research into effective obesity policies in Latin America. Methods We examined obesity prevention policies through case studies developed with an expert in the specific policy. Policies were selected based on their level of implementation, visibility and potential impact to reduce childhood obesity. They include: (i) excise taxes on sugar sweetened beverages and energy‐dense foods; (ii) front‐of‐package food label legislation; (iii) trans fatty acids removal from processed foods; and (iv) Ciclovías recreativas or ‘open streets’. Case studies were coded to identify components that explained successful implementation and sustainability using the Complex Adaptive Health Systems framework. Results The analysis identified key elements for effective and sustainable policy, including evidence justifying policy; evidence‐based advocacy by civil society; political will; and legislation and skillful negotiations across government, academia, the private sector and civil society. Scientific evidence and evaluation played an important role in achieving tipping points for policies' launch and sustain effective implementation. Conclusions Well‐coordinated, intersectoral partnerships are needed to successfully implement evidence‐based anti‐obesity policies. Prospective policy research may be useful for advancing knowledge translation.

Preventing childhood obesity in Latin America: an agenda for regional research and strategic partnerships

“…In February 2017, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Pan American Health Organization and the Caribbean Community brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Health from Mexico and Chile, to develop a roadmap to prevent childhood obesity. Mexico and Chile presented their experiences implementing a sugar‐sweetened beverage tax and food marketing legislation (respectively), each of which relied on research and evidence to support the policy's development and implementation .…”

“…Through case studies of current obesity prevention policies , the article examines the key components of successful implementation and sustained food and physical activity policies . It explores the role that research plays in supporting this policy development and implementation and presents lessons learned about rigorous evaluation and knowledge translation.…”

The Political Economy of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Taxation in Latin America: Lessons from Mexico, Chile and Colombia

“…Simultaneously, an intense debate about implementing a regulatory framework began -which included a restriction on marketing of unhealthy food to children, and a front-of-pack warning labelling informing consumers through new labels stating when a product is high in calories, sugars, fats and salt (60,61). After long discussions and pressure from the F&BI lobbyists, the regulation nally came to effect in 2015 (62)…”

L’Argentine dans le contexte latino-américain : consommations alimentaires, santé et politiques nutritionnelles

“…Des études citées par Pérez-Escamilla et al (2017) montrent que, au-delà des effets positifs sur la qualité de vie et la santé, cette initiative présente aussi un intérêt économique. Par exemple, dans la ville de Bogota, chaque dollar investi en Ciclovías a évité de dépenser 3 dollars par personne et par an en frais de santé (Pérez-Escamilla et al, 2017). En Argentine, le « Programa Nacional Argentina Camina » (programme national Argentine marche) a été mise en place en 2006, sous l'égide du ministère de la Santé, afin de promouvoir un style de vie actif par des interventions aussi bien au niveau collectif qu'individuel.…”

“…Au Chili, l'étiquetage des aliments afin de mieux informer les consommateurs par des étiquettes et de messages spécifiques (sur le sucre, les graisses saturées, le sodium et les calories) situés en face avant des emballages est promu par une loi adoptée en 2012. Après un long processus, initié en 1998 et semé de difficultés 34 , la mise en oeuvre de la loi chilienne a commencé en 2016 et s'étalera pendant trois ans (Pérez-Escamilla et al, 2017). Un étiquetage simplifié et placé sur la face avant commence à être promu dans certains pays.…”