New research published in Obesity Review The food environment in high-income countries, including the United Kingdom, suggests that it is hampering people’s efforts to lose and maintain weight by making it difficult to buy and consume healthier foods. In addition, the government has not taken appropriate steps to modify the food environment. The “food environment” refers to the environment in which people can buy and consume food on a daily basis outside their homes and is constantly exposed to food advertising and publicity.
Obesity is a major health problem in the UK, with two in three adults and one in three children overweight or obese by the time they graduate from primary school.Obesity-related illnesses cost £ 6 a year 1 billion by NHS.
Researchers at London City University conducted a systematic review of 26 studies published between 2011 and 2020 in 12 high-income countries, including the United Kingdom. The study included reports of 679 individuals regarding their experience in weight management in the context of the food environment.
Details of the study
This study identified four major themes that explain the impact of the food environment on people’s weight loss efforts.
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Unhealthy options such as high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods and beverages have a strong presence and appeal in the food environment, so people practicing weight management consciously plan. Or need to be avoided.
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People’s weight management efforts are consistently hampered by the easy availability and accessibility of unhealthy food options in the food environment.
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The actual and perceived costs of healthier choices are often a barrier to weight loss, especially for low-income groups.
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Social conditions and the food environment create a disadvantageous combination for those practicing weight management.
The reviews also suggest specific solutions to tackle problems specific to the food environment.
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Increase promotions and offers for health foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, and reduce promotions and offers for unhealthy foods.
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Encourage corporate and public sector organizations to provide healthier food choices in the workplace
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Improved food labeling for portion size and nutritional data
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Introducing restrictions on the sale of HFSS foods and beverages
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Providing incentives to fast food restaurants to provide healthy food choices, especially around popular business districts
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Providing financial support to lower socio-economic groups to make healthy food available to them
Need new policy
Kimberly Nave, co-author of City University of London, commented on the findings, saying: -Control: Even those who are really hard at work are hampered by unhealthy food choices everywhere-they are easy to find, cheap to buy, quick and attractive.
“Instead of eating a regular January meal, we need to change the story so that people want a food environment that supports their health. To do so, level the competition for the industry to start making changes. We need a policy to do. “
This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Program. The author reports that there are no conflicts of interest.
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