Evaluation of a Healthy Food Procurement Policy at Municipality-level in Nepal

Overview

The rise in chronic diseases is attributed to unhealthy eating high in sugar, salt and saturated fats, which is facilitated by the availability and consumption of these unhealthy foods. The investigators will conduct the Randomized Controlled Trial to evaluate the effect of food procurement policy on the food environment in the public facilities like schools, worksites, hospitals, correctional facilities and care homes of four municipalities of Bagmati Province, Nepal. The investigators will develop food procurement policy and get endorsed from each municipality through their legislative process. In three months, the change in the food environment after implementing the policy in public facilities of the respective municipalities will be measured.

Introduction: Unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fats significantly contribute to poor population health such as obesity and chronic diseases; and are widely available in public facilities including schools, workplaces and health care facilities. Unhealthy diets are thus influenced by an unhealthy food environment. Today's food environment is dependent on the consumer's choice and is supposed to be challenging. Consumers are not taking healthy choices on their nutrition and health. Thus, promotion of a healthier food environment in public facilities is recognized as the best measure for addressing the adverse health outcomes. Healthy public food procurement consists of procuring, distributing, selling, and/or serving food to facilitate healthier dietary behaviors. The development, implementation and adoption of healthy food procurement policy is regarded as the promising strategy to address the health consequences associated with unhealthy foods. Nepal still is struggling in meeting high standards of safe, nutritious diets for the entire population. Due to the increased market prices of the foods, the purchasing capacity of the country has been affected. There are issues of nutrition transition which have resulted in a lack of dietary diversity. The sales as well as demand of ultra-processed foods are increasing. The typical dietary pattern of refined grains, meat and alcohol is associated with a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. Deep-fried foods are associated with hypertension; the cereal and vegetable pattern are inversely associated with diabetes prevalence. The foods such as packed foods, canned juices, cold drinks, restaurant foods and other junk foods are sold everywhere which is due to attractive media advertisements; increase in street food, supermarkets, fast food chain industries; quick availability/preparation/consumption; easy carrying and handling with home packing system. There is sufficient evidence that public food procurement policy with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows increasing the consumption and availability of healthy food in public facilities such as school, hospital, correctional facilities and care homes; there is no such study in Nepal. In this study, the investigators will take reference from the World Health Organization Action framework for developing and implementing public food procurement and service policies for a healthy diet. The healthy food procurement and service policy can be a "double duty action" for improving health and reducing all forms of malnutrition in the population. Making public food procurement and service policies healthier is a low-cost strategy that can improve the health and nutritional status, including weight-related outcomes, of the population by increasing the availability and consumption of healthier food in public settings, while simultaneously decreasing availability and consumption of unhealthy food. Different countries have committed to taking action to promote healthy diets and eliminate malnutrition in all its forms, including ensuring healthy food in public facilities. Rationale: Unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fats significantly contribute to poor population health such as obesity and chronic diseases; and are widely available in public facilities including schools, workplaces and health care facilities. People tend to be unaware or ignore the health effects of these unhealthy foods. Improving knowledge on unhealthy eating is necessary but not sufficient to change dietary behaviors at the population level. Therefore, population-level policies and programs are necessary to address unhealthy eating at societal level. Nepal Government recognizes nutrition and food security as a top priority. However, no specific food procurement policy to regulate purchase and availability of healthy foods is in place. Development and implementation of a sustainable public food procurement and service policy will lead to availability of a wider variety of healthier products for the public. Objectives: Assess the effectiveness of public food procurement policy implementation.