Using political science to progress public health nutrition: a systematic review

Cullerton, Katherine; Donnet, Timothy; Lee, Amanda; Gallegos, Danielle

doi:10.1017/s1368980015002712

Cited by 30 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Hence, it would seem to be highly appropriate to use ‘synthesis’ theories of the policy process in future studies of obesity prevention policy. The application of these more comprehensive ‘synthesis’ theories of the policy process, within this context of obesity prevention, is broadly consistent with the recent political science literature, including the findings of a previous review focused on nutrition policy [ 47 ], where policy scholars have noted that synthesis theories are superior in explaining how and why policy stasis or change occurs [ 48 , 58 , 59 ]. The ACF, MST and PET, as synthesis theories, consider numerous important influences on decision-making, including the role of decision making rationality, ideas, institutional aspects, groups and network influences, as well as external socio-political factors.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Nevertheless, it was arguably more extensive than previously conducted reviews in this area. [ 46 , 47 ] Secondly, the systematic search may not have been completely comprehensive due to inadequate indexing of terms for qualitative research in bibliographic databases, which can result in incomplete search results [ 101 ]. This has also been a limitation acknowledged previously within the context of public health systematic reviews [ 101 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, they only looked at a limited number of policy science theories. Another recent review [ 47 ] examined the extent of use of political science theory to understand the influences on food and nutrition policy processes. This review found a limited number of studies that were underpinned by political science theory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of theories of the policy process to obesity prevention: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

2016

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BackgroundTheories of the policy process are recommended as tools to help explain both policy stasis and change.MethodsA systematic review of the application of such theoretical frameworks within the field of obesity prevention policy was conducted. A meta-synthesis was also undertaken to identify the key influences on policy decision-making.ResultsThe review identified 17 studies of obesity prevention policy underpinned by political science theories. The majority of included studies were conducted in the United States (US), with significant heterogeneity in terms of policy level (e.g., national, state) studied, areas of focus, and methodologies used. Many of the included studies were methodologically limited, in regard to rigour and trustworthiness. Prominent themes identified included the role of groups and networks, political institutions, and political system characteristics, issue framing, the use of evidence, personal values and beliefs, prevailing political ideology, and timing.ConclusionsThe limited application of political science theories indicates a need for future theoretically based research into the complexity of policy-making and multiple influences on obesity prevention policy processes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3639-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of theories of the policy process to obesity prevention: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

2016

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“…e.g. 12,[15][16][17] One essential driver of political commitment is the strength of nutrition actor networks (NANs), defined as the web of individuals and organizations operating within a given country or jurisdiction who share principled ideas, causal beliefs, and a common interest in tackling malnutrition and who act collectively to do so. 18 At the global level, networks have proliferated in recent years as distinct organizational forms to address a number of high-burden health issues (eg, tobacco control, maternal mortality, and tuberculosis).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Generating political commitment for ending malnutrition in all its forms: A system dynamics approach for strengthening nutrition actor networks

et al. 2019

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Summary Generating political commitment for ending all forms of malnutrition represents a key challenge for the global nutrition community. Without commitment, the policies, programs, and resources needed to improve nutrition are unlikely to be adopted, effectively implemented, nor sustained. One essential driver of commitment is nutrition actor network (NAN) effectiveness, the web of individuals and organizations operating within a given country who share a common interest in improving nutrition and who act collectively to do so. To inform new thinking and action towards strengthening NAN effectiveness, we use a systems dynamics theoretical approach and literature review to build initial causal loop diagrams (CLDs) of political commitment and NAN effectiveness and a qualitative group model building (GMB) method involving an expert workshop to strengthen model validity. First, a “nutrition commitment system” CLD demonstrates how five interrelated forms of commitment—rhetorical, institutional, operational, embedded, and system‐wide—can dynamically reinforce or diminish one another over time. Second, we present CLDs demonstrating factors shaping NAN effectiveness organized into three categories: actor features, resources, and capacities; framing strategies, evidence, and norms; and institutional, political, and societal contexts. Together, these models generate hypotheses on how political commitment and NAN effectiveness could be strengthened in future and may provide potential starting points for country‐specific conversations for doing so.

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“…In developing a nutrition sensitive BSC we sought to bring together policy and nutrition indicators relevant to NZ F&B manufacturers’ policies. Policy indicators were derived from Walt and Gilson’s policy analysis triangle [ 38 ], a review of relevant food and nutrition policy literature and a recent BSC examining the nutrition sensitivity of NZ District Health Board policy [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Nutrition indicators were adapted from five of the seven ATNI categories: products, accessibility, marketing, lifestyles and labelling, to the NZ context [ 19 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Nutrition Sensitive Are the Nutrition Policies of New Zealand Food Manufacturers? A Benchmarking Study

Doonan

Field

2017

Nutrients

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Nutrition sensitive policy addresses the underlying determinants of nutrition-related disease and is a powerful tool in reducing the incidence of non-communicable disease. Some members of the food industry have long standing commitments to health-oriented nutrition policies. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a balanced scorecard of nutrition sensitive indicators to the policies of influential New Zealand food and beverage manufacturers and explore factors affecting policy processes. Results: The average nutrition sensitivity score of the twenty influential manufacturers policies was 42 against a benchmark of 75. Some manufacturers performed well whilst others had substantial scope for improvement, the largest variation was in policy development and implementation, whereas nutrition quality was relatively consistent. Manufacturers with written policy (n = 11) scored on average three times higher than their counterparts with verbal policy. The value a manufacturer placed on nutrition influenced whether formal nutrition policies were developed. The reputational risk of failing to deliver on publicly declared nutrition commitments acted as an informal accountability mechanism. We conclude the balanced scorecard offers a useful tool for assessing the nutrition sensitivity of influential food and beverage manufacturers’ policies. Our results provide a baseline for repeat assessments of the nutrition sensitivity of food manufacturers’ policies.

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Using political science to progress public health nutrition: a systematic review

Cited by 30 publications

References 65 publications

The application of theories of the policy process to obesity prevention: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

The application of theories of the policy process to obesity prevention: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

Generating political commitment for ending malnutrition in all its forms: A system dynamics approach for strengthening nutrition actor networks

How Nutrition Sensitive Are the Nutrition Policies of New Zealand Food Manufacturers? A Benchmarking Study

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