Gary Sacks1, Ella Robinson2, Adrian J Cameron2. 1. Global Obesity Centre, Melbourne Burwood Campus, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia. gary.sacks@deakin.edu.au. 2. Global Obesity Centre, Melbourne Burwood Campus, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a broad consensus that policies to create healthier food environments are needed to address obesity. However, previous reviews of the relationships between the healthiness of food environments and diet/obesity-related outcomes have typically reported either mixed associations or none at all. This paper aimed to synthesise measurement and interpretation issues in this field, based on findings from previous reviews. RECENT FINDINGS: Key issues, drawn from 14 previous reviews in the last decade, included: (1) the use of measures of the food environments that are too narrow in scope; (2) inadequate measures of the way in which people are exposed to, and interact with, food environments; and (3) large heterogeneity in tools and methods used. To evaluate the impact of food environments on diet and health, composite measures of the healthiness of food environments, informed by actual usage patterns, need to be developed and consistently applied.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a broad consensus that policies to create healthier food environments are needed to address obesity. However, previous reviews of the relationships between the healthiness of food environments and diet/obesity-related outcomes have typically reported either mixed associations or none at all. This paper aimed to synthesise measurement and interpretation issues in this field, based on findings from previous reviews. RECENT FINDINGS: Key issues, drawn from 14 previous reviews in the last decade, included: (1) the use of measures of the food environments that are too narrow in scope; (2) inadequate measures of the way in which people are exposed to, and interact with, food environments; and (3) large heterogeneity in tools and methods used. To evaluate the impact of food environments on diet and health, composite measures of the healthiness of food environments, informed by actual usage patterns, need to be developed and consistently applied.
Authors: Damian Maganja; Mia Miller; Kathy Trieu; Tailane Scapin; Adrian Cameron; Jason H Y Wu Journal: Curr Atheroscler Rep Date: 2022-02-09 Impact factor: 5.967
Authors: Adrian J Cameron; Laura H Oostenbach; Sarah Dean; Ella Robinson; Christine M White; Lana Vanderlee; David Hammond; Gary Sacks Journal: J Nutr Date: 2022-06-13 Impact factor: 4.687
Authors: Shannon M Robson; Maya Vadiveloo; Sarah Green; Sarah C Couch; James F Sallis; Karen Glanz; Brian E Saelens Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2020-12-02
Authors: Joreintje D Mackenbach; Kyra G M Nelissen; S Coosje Dijkstra; Maartje P Poelman; Joost G Daams; Julianna B Leijssen; Mary Nicolaou Journal: Nutrients Date: 2019-09-13 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Stephanie R Partridge; Alice A Gibson; Rajshri Roy; Jessica A Malloy; Rebecca Raeside; Si Si Jia; Anna C Singleton; Mariam Mandoh; Allyson R Todd; Tian Wang; Nicole K Halim; Karice Hyun; Julie Redfern Journal: Nutrients Date: 2020-10-12 Impact factor: 5.717