Promoting Healthy Diets and Tackling Obesity and Diet-Related Chronic Diseases: What are the Agricultural Policy Levers?

Abstract

Background. Diet-related

A new classification of foods based on the extent and purpose of their processing

“…In a previous commentary 13 we have pointed out that a classification of foodstuffs into only two categories, unprocessed and processed, is of little use, since nowadays in both higher-income and lower-income countries and contexts practically all food is processed in some way. We also have proposed that the extent and purpose of food processing should be considered crucial determinants of the influence of foods on eating patterns and the overall quality of diets, given their implications for public and personal health and the risk of disease 12 .…”

Kansas Legislators Prioritize Obesity but Overlook Nutrition and Physical Activity Issues

“…This may reflect a lack of awareness about how infrastructure and resources in the built environment impact obesity. 11,18,21 The few Democrats in the sample ranked almost all issues as more important than did Republicans; significantly so for quality of public education, poverty, access to healthcare, , lack of affordable housing, ethics in government, lack of public health training, access to healthy groceries, lack of pedestrian walkways/crosswalks/sidewalks, pedestrian safety, air pollution, and global warming. In Hawaii, only global warming was ranked significantly higher by Democrats.…”

“…Kansas is also a major agricultural state and areas of intervention to promote healthy diets include agricultural policies and production practices. 11 These items influence food availability, price, and quality for consumers. It may be helpful to educate policymakers about the economic costs of physical inactivity and poor nutrition and potential solutions.…”

Population-level changes to promote cardiovascular health

“…35,36 There is growing awareness of the potential benefits of policy intervention in the agricultural sector to influence agricultural production practice. 37 …”