Publication: Food Policy Options : Preventing and Controlling Nutrition Related Non-Communicable Diseases
Date
2002-11
ISSN
Published
2002-11
Author(s)
World Health Organization
World Bank
Abstract
Although diet structure and activity
throughout the developing world have shifted drastically
over the past several decades, little is known about
effective policies to influence the supply and demand for
food to control the undesirable effects, such as obesity,
heart disease and cancer, of those shifts. Two questions
specifically need to be addressed: a) Are the traditional
policy levers for crops and livestock still important and
feasible options, considering the latest developments in
processing, distribution and marketing? b) What research
should be done in the process of formulating an 'Action
Agenda' over the longer term. The answer to question
one, concerns 'Traditional' versus 'New
Policy Levers', and includes: i) recognition of the
limitations of conventional food policies; ii) demanding
truth in advertising; iii) harnessing the influence of
supermarkets and multinational corporations; iv) choosing
realistic options to shift demand; v) addressing internal
infrastructure; vi) using schools for targeted intervention.
Currently, few studies allow linkage of prices, diet, and
health outcomes in any systematic manner that considers the
timing of the changes.
Citation
“World Health Organization; World Bank. 2002. Food Policy Options : Preventing and Controlling Nutrition Related Non-Communicable Diseases. HNP discussion paper series;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/964fd618-0dda-5186-a3c2-6dcb01dab3f9 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”