The development of sodium reduction targets for New Zealand fast foods and a comparison with the current sodium contents of products.

Sodium intake attributed to fast food is increasing globally. This research aims to develop maximum sodium reduction targets for New Zealand (NZ) fast foods and compare them with the current sodium content of products. Sodium content and serving size data were sourced from an existing database of major NZ fast-food chains.

Trends in the healthiness and nutrient composition of packaged products sold by major food and beverage companies in New Zealand 2015 to 2019.

Background: Dietary risk factors are the leading cause of death globally and in New Zealand (NZ). Processed packaged foods are prevalent in the food supply and contribute excess amounts of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar in diets. Improving the nutritional quality of these foods has the potential to reduce population chronic disease risk.

Long-term cost-effectiveness analysis of rugby fans in training-New Zealand: a body weight reduction programme for males.

Objectives: We sought to extrapolate the long-term costs and clinical impacts attributed to the rugby fans in training-New Zealand (RUFIT-NZ) trial in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Design: A modelled cost-effectiveness analysis using efficacy data from RUFIT-NZ was conducted from the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare perspective.

Setting: A Markov cohort model was constructed with a lifetime time horizon.

New Zealand household purchases of sugar-sweetened, artificially sweetened, and unsweetened beverages: 2015-2019.

Objective: To assess annual household purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages (AFSBs), and unsweetened beverages (USBs) by household composition and income, and over time.

Design: Observational cohort study using beverage purchasing data linked to a supermarket database. ANOVA was used to compare total household purchase volumes (L) and the contribution of beverages purchased by category, household composition (size), household income (four categories from New Zealand (NZ) < $30 000 to > $90 000), and over time (trend from 2015 to 2019).

Rugby Fans in Training New Zealand (RUFIT NZ): a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle program for overweight men delivered through professional rugby clubs.

Background: A healthy lifestyle program that appeals to, and supports, overweight and obese New Zealand (NZ) European, Māori (indigenous) and Pasifika men to achieve weight loss is urgently needed. A pilot program inspired by the successful Football Fans in Training program but delivered via professional rugby clubs in NZ (n = 96) was shown to be effective in weight loss, adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors, and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese men. A full effectiveness trial is now needed.

Effectiveness of a Sodium-Reduction Smartphone App and Reduced-Sodium Salt to Lower Sodium Intake in Adults With Hypertension: Findings From the Salt Alternatives Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Even modest reductions in blood pressure (BP) can have an important impact on population-level morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. There are 2 promising approaches: the SaltSwitch smartphone app, which enables users to scan the bar code of a packaged food using their smartphone camera and receive an immediate, interpretive traffic light nutrition label on-screen alongside a list of healthier, lower-salt options in the same food category; and reduced-sodium salts (RSSs), which are an alternative to regular table salt that are lower in sodium and higher in potassium but have a similar mouthfeel, taste, and flavor.

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether a 12-week intervention with a sodium-reduction package comprising the SaltSwitch smartphone app and an RSS could reduce urinary sodium excretion in adults with high BP.

Dietary sources of sodium across the diverse New Zealand adult population.

Our aim was to determine dietary sources of sodium for adults in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). We used data from the most recent NZ Adult Nutrition Survey (ANS 2008/09) including 4,721 free-living adults aged 15+ years who completed a single 24-hour dietary recall. Population weighted percentage contribution to dietary sodium was calculated and ranked for major and minor food categories across the total population and by gender (male and female), ethnicity (Māori, Pacific, Asian, and Other), and age (15 to 20, 21 to 40, 41 to 60, and 61+ years).

Impact of a voluntary industry code for advertising food to children and young people: an analysis of New Zealand television data.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the 2017 update to the voluntary Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) code for advertising food on children and young people's exposure to unhealthy food advertisements on New Zealand television.

Design: Audience ratings data were analysed for New Zealand children and young people's television viewing for eight random days prior to (June to August 2015) and following (October to December 2018) the code update, from 06.00 to midnight (864 h).

Energy, Sodium, Sugar and Saturated Fat Content of New Zealand Fast-Food Products and Meal Combos in 2020.

This study aimed to benchmark the healthiness of the New Zealand (NZ) fast-food supply in 2020. There are currently no actions or policies in NZ regarding the composition, serving size and labeling of fast food. Data on serving size and nutrient content of products was collected from company websites and in-store visits to 27 fast-food chains.

Comparison of Healthiness, Labelling, and Price between Private and Branded Label Packaged Foods in New Zealand (2015-2019).

We aimed to compare New Zealand private label (PL) and branded label (BL) packaged food products in relation to their current (2019) healthiness (sodium and sugar contents, and estimated Health Star Rating (HSR) score), display of the voluntary HSR nutrition label on the package, and price. Healthiness and HSR display of products were also explored over time (2015 to 2019). Data were obtained from Nutritrack, a brand-specific food composition database.

Which companies dominate the packaged food supply of New Zealand and how healthy are their products?

Improvement of national food supplies are an opportunity to improve a country's health. Our aim was to identify the major food companies manufacturing packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages available in New Zealand supermarkets in 2018; to assess the healthiness of products using (1) the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, (2) Australian Dietary Guidelines classification (core/discretionary), and (3) by level of processing; to compare the healthiness of products displaying and not displaying the HSR and; to assess potential for food reformulation within selected food sub-categories. Information on packaged foods was obtained from the Nutritrack supermarket database.

Seven-year trends in the availability, sugar content and serve size of single-serve non-alcoholic beverages in New Zealand: 2013-2019.

Objective: To assess trends in relative availability, sugar content and serve size of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverages available for sale in supermarkets from 2013 to 2019.

Design: Repeat cross-sectional surveys. Data on single-serve beverages to be consumed in one sitting were obtained from an updated brand-specific food composition database.

Dietary patterns associated with meeting the WHO free sugars intake guidelines.

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that free sugars intake in many countries exceeds that recommended by the WHO. However, information regarding real-world dietary patterns associated with meeting the WHO free sugars guidelines is lacking. The current study aimed to determine dietary patterns associated with meeting the guidelines to inform effective free sugars reduction interventions in New Zealand (NZ) and similar high-income countries.

Reducing children's sugar intake through food reformulation: methods for estimating sugar reduction program targets, using New Zealand as a case study.

Background: Reducing sugar in packaged foods and beverages could help protect children's future health. Clear methods for the development of feasible yet impactful sugar reduction program targets are needed.

Objectives: To outline methods for the development of program targets that would reduce, by 20%, the total sugar content of packaged foods and beverages commonly consumed by children.

Stars versus warnings: Comparison of the Australasian Health Star Rating nutrition labelling system with Chilean Warning Labels.

Objective: The Health Star Rating (HSR) is a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling system that rates products from ½ to 5 stars (five being healthiest). The Chilean Warning Label system displays warnings on foods high in sugar, saturated fat, sodium, or energy. We aimed to evaluate alignment between the systems.

Do purchases of price promoted and generic branded foods and beverages vary according to food category and income level? Evidence from a consumer research panel.

Price is a key determinant of food choice, particularly for low-income households who may be more sensitive to price-lowering strategies such as price promotions and generic/retailer-owned brands. Price-lowering strategies may therefore represent important policy targets to improve population nutrition and reduce inequities. This study aimed to describe household purchasing patterns of price promoted and generic branded foods and beverages in New Zealand (2016-2017).

The effect of food price changes on consumer purchases: a randomised experiment.

Background: Most evidence on health-related food taxes and subsidies relies on observational data and effects on single nutrients or foods instead of total diet. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of randomly assigned food price variations on consumer purchasing, where sets of prices emulated commonly discussed food tax and subsidy policies, including a subsidy on fruit and vegetables, a sweetened beverage tax, and taxes on foods according to sugar, sodium, and saturated fat content.

Methods: In this study, adult participants (≥18 years) in New Zealand completed up to five weekly shops in a virtual supermarket.

Estimating the health benefits and cost-savings of a cap on the size of single serve sugar-sweetened beverages.

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake is associated with tooth decay, obesity and diabetes. We aimed to model the health and cost impact of reducing the serving size of all single serve SSB to a maximum of 250 ml in New Zealand. A 250 ml serving size cap was modeled for all instances of single serves (<600 ml) of sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks, carbonated energy drinks, and sports drinks in the New Zealand National Nutrition Survey intake data (2008/09).

Measuring Children's Sodium and Potassium Intakes in NZ: A Pilot Study.

Low sodium and high potassium intakes in childhood protect against rises in blood pressure (BP) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. Our aim was to pilot methods for collection of 24-h urine samples (gold standard) and diet recalls to assess sodium and potassium intakes and their food sources in 30 children aged 8⁻11 years at one New Zealand primary school. A diverse sample ( = 27) was recruited over a two-week period.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours Related to Dietary Salt Intake in High-Income Countries: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) related to dietary salt intake among adults in high-income countries.

Recent Findings: Overall (n = 24 studies across 12 countries), KAB related to dietary salt intake are low. While consumers are aware of the health implications of a high salt intake, fundamental knowledge regarding recommended dietary intake, primary food sources, and the relationship between salt and sodium is lacking.

Health Care Student Perceptions of Societal Vulnerability to Disasters in the Context of Population Aging.

Objective: This paper reports on undergraduate health care students' perception of societal vulnerability to disasters in the context of population aging. Forecast increases in extreme weather events are likely to have a particularly devastating effect on older members of the community.

Methods: Undergraduate paramedicine and nursing students were surveyed using the Perceptions of Ageing and Disaster Vulnerability Scale (PADVS) to determine their views on the risks posed to older members of the community by disasters.

Five year trends in the serve size, energy, and sodium contents of New Zealand fast foods: 2012 to 2016.

Background: The nutritional composition of foods and beverages consumed away from the home has important implications for population health. Our objective was to determine if the serve size, energy, and sodium contents of fast foods sold at chain restaurants in New Zealand (NZ) changed between 2012 and 2016.

Methods: Serve size and nutrient data were collected in annual cross-sectional surveys of all products sold at 10 major fast food chains.

Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in the Packaged Food Supply-An Assessment across 4 Countries.

Increased interest among consumers in the reduction of dietary sugar intake has led to the wider availability of food products containing non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). However, the extent to which NNS are currently being used by manufacturers to sweeten processed food and beverage products, and how NNS may be displacing added sugars as a sweetener is unknown. The current study utilized branded food composition databases from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and the US to determine the percentage of processed food and beverage products for which there are nutrition data containing NNS and to compare total sugar density (g per 100 mL for beverages and g per 100 g for foods) between products with and without NNS.