File(s) under permanent embargo
National nutrition policy in high-income countries: Is health equity on the agenda?
journal contribution
posted on 2021-10-01, 00:00 authored by Christina ZorbasChristina Zorbas, Jennifer BrowneJennifer Browne, Alexandra Chung, Phillip Baker, C Palermo, Erica ReeveErica Reeve, Anna PeetersAnna Peeters, Kathryn BackholerKathryn BackholerAbstract
Objective
Equity-oriented policy actions are a key public health principle. In this study, how equity and socioeconomic inequalities are represented in policy problematizations of population nutrition were examined.
Data Sources
We retrieved a purposive sample of government nutrition-policy documents (n = 18) from high-income nations.
Data Synthesis
Thematic analysis of policy documents was informed by a multitheoretical understanding of equitable policies and Bacchi’s “What’s the Problem Represented to be?’ analysis framework. Despite common rhetorical concerns about the existence of health inequalities, these concerns were often overshadowed by greater emphasis on lifestyle “problems” and reductionist policy actions. The notion that policy actions should be for all and reach everyone were seldom backed by specific actions. Rhetorical acknowledgements of the upstream drivers of health inequalities were also rarely problematized, as were government responsibilities for health equity and the role of policy and governance in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in nutrition.
Conclusion
To positively influence health equity outcomes, national nutrition policy will need to transition toward the prioritization of actions that uphold social justice and comprehensively address the upstream determinants of health.
Objective
Equity-oriented policy actions are a key public health principle. In this study, how equity and socioeconomic inequalities are represented in policy problematizations of population nutrition were examined.
Data Sources
We retrieved a purposive sample of government nutrition-policy documents (n = 18) from high-income nations.
Data Synthesis
Thematic analysis of policy documents was informed by a multitheoretical understanding of equitable policies and Bacchi’s “What’s the Problem Represented to be?’ analysis framework. Despite common rhetorical concerns about the existence of health inequalities, these concerns were often overshadowed by greater emphasis on lifestyle “problems” and reductionist policy actions. The notion that policy actions should be for all and reach everyone were seldom backed by specific actions. Rhetorical acknowledgements of the upstream drivers of health inequalities were also rarely problematized, as were government responsibilities for health equity and the role of policy and governance in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in nutrition.
Conclusion
To positively influence health equity outcomes, national nutrition policy will need to transition toward the prioritization of actions that uphold social justice and comprehensively address the upstream determinants of health.
History
Journal
Nutrition ReviewsVolume
79Issue
10Pagination
1100 - 1113Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INCLocation
United StatesPublisher DOI
ISSN
0029-6643eISSN
1753-4887Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC