Characterising the extent and nature of digital food and beverage marketing in Singapore: a descriptive study.

Objective:

Setting: Food and beverage advertisements within twenty clicks on the top twelve non-food websites and all posts on the Facebook and Instagram pages of fifteen major food companies in Singapore were sampled from 1 January to 30 June 2018.

Design: Advertised foods were classified as being core (healthier), non-core or mixed dishes (e.g.

Modelling the cost differential between current and healthy diets according to household education level in Belgium.

This study aims to estimate the cost differential between current and healthy diets, overall and by household education level. Data from the 2014-2015 and food prices from the 2014 were linked. The was used to model healthy, isocaloric healthy and current diets.

The promotion of ultra-processed foods in modern retail food outlets in rural and urban areas in Kenya.

Objective: To assess the availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in modern retail food outlets (supermarkets and minimarts) in Kenya and associated factors.

Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kenya from August 2021 to October 2021. Variables included the geographic location and the socio-economic status (SES) levels, the food items displayed for sale and advertised in the stores, and locations in the stores such as the entrance.

The economic burden of type 2 diabetes on the public healthcare system in Kenya: a cost of illness study.

Background: The burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a growing public health concern. The availability of cost-of-illness data, particularly public healthcare costs for NCDs, is limited in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet such data evidence is needed for policy action.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the economic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on Kenya's public healthcare system in 2021 and project costs for 2045.

Exploring the multiple dimensions of perceived food access in the local food environment in Flanders: Perceptions of adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations.

Persons in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations are more susceptible and disproportionally exposed to unhealthy food environments, which results in limited access to healthy foods and poorer dietary outcomes. This qualitative paper examines the various dimensions of perceived food access to healthy and unhealthy foods (i.e.

Determinants of food insecurity among adults residing in peri-urban municipal settings in Flanders, Belgium.

Food insecurity is a global public health issue associated with noncommunicable diseases. Individual factors are strongly associated with food insecurity, but there is limited literature on the broader impact of both the social and food environments on food insecurity in non-English speaking European countries, given that the research was predominantly conducted in Anglophone settings. In addition, these studies have mostly been conducted in urban areas.

Which government policies to create sustainable food systems have the potential to simultaneously address undernutrition, obesity and environmental sustainability?

Introduction: A transformation of food systems is urgently needed, given their contribution to three ongoing and interlinked global health pandemics: (1) undernutrition and food insecurity, (2) obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and (3) climate change and biodiversity loss. As policymakers make decisions that shape food systems, this study aimed to identify and prioritise policies with double- or triple-duty potential to achieve healthier and more environmentally sustainable food systems.

Methods: This study undertook a 4-step methodological approach, including (i) a compilation of international policy recommendations, (ii) an online survey, (iii) four regional workshops with international experts and (iv) a ranking for prioritisation.

Policy implementation and recommended actions to create healthy food environments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI): a comparative analysis in South Asia.

Background: The increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Asia is concerning, with type 2 diabetes projected to rise to 68%, compared to the global increase of 44%. Encouraging healthy diets requires stronger policies for healthier food environments.

Methods: This study reviewed and assessed food environment policies in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from 2020 to 2022 using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) and compared them with global best practices.

Differences in the cost and environmental impact between the current diet in Brazil and healthy and sustainable diets: a modeling study.

Background: While healthy and sustainable diets benefit human and planetary health, their monetary cost has a direct impact on consumer food choices. This study aimed to identify the cost and environmental impact of the current Brazilian diet (CBD) and compare it with healthy and sustainable diets.

Methods: Data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey 2017/18 and the Footprints of Foods and Culinary Preparations Consumed in Brazil database were used for a modeling study comparing the cost of healthy and sustainable diets (based on the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines (BDG) diet and the EAT-Lancet diet) versus the CBD.

Lifestyle predictors of colorectal cancer in European populations: a systematic review.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most prevalent cancer in Europe, with one-fifth of cases attributable to unhealthy lifestyles. Risk prediction models for quantifying CRC risk and identifying high-risk groups have been developed or validated across European populations, some considering lifestyle as a predictor.

Purpose: To identify lifestyle predictors considered in existing risk prediction models applicable for European populations and characterise their corresponding parameter values for an improved understanding of their relative contribution to prediction across different models.

Rising socioeconomic disparities in childhood overweight and obesity in Belgium.

Background: Childhood overweight, especially obesity, significantly impacts children's health and poses an increased risk of adult-onset diseases. This study aims to analyse the evolution of childhood overweight and obesity in Belgium from 1997 to 2018 and assess its variation across parental socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: The Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional survey representative of the Belgian population, has been conducted since 1997, with the latest survey conducted in 2018.

Associations between the objective and perceived food environment and eating behavior in relation to socioeconomic status among adults in peri-urban settings: results from the CIVISANO study in Flanders, Belgium.

Obesity, a significant public health concern, disproportionately affects people with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Food environments have been identified as part of the causal chain of this disparity. This study investigated variations in the food environment across groups with different SES profiles residing in peri-urban municipal settings.

Food Environment in Burkina Faso: Review of Public Policies and Government Actions Using the Food-EPI Tool.

Background: Governments have a central role to play in creating a food environment that will enable people to have and maintain healthy eating practices.

Objectives: This study analyzes public policies and government actions related to creating healthy food environments in Burkina Faso.

Methods: The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index tool used for this study has 2 components, 13 domains, and 56 indicators of good practice adapted to the Burkina Faso context.

The future burden of type 2 diabetes in Belgium: a microsimulation model.

Objective: To forecast the annual burden of type 2 diabetes and related socio-demographic disparities in Belgium until 2030.

Methods: This study utilized a discrete-event transition microsimulation model. A synthetic population was created using 2018 national register data of the Belgian population aged 0-80 years, along with the national representative prevalence of diabetes risk factors obtained from the latest (2018) Belgian Health Interview and Examination Surveys using Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE) as inputs to the Simulation of Synthetic Complex Data (simPop) model.

The potential impact fraction of population weight reduction scenarios on non-communicable diseases in Belgium: application of the g-computation approach.

Background: Overweight is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe, affecting almost 60% of all adults. Tackling obesity is therefore a key long-term health challenge and is vital to reduce premature mortality from NCDs. Methodological challenges remain however, to provide actionable evidence on the potential health benefits of population weight reduction interventions.

Nutri-Score 2023 update.

In 2023, the algorithm underlying the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label was updated to better align with food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) across countries engaged in the system. On the basis of a comparison of FBDGs and literature reviews with the current Nutri-Score classification, modification scenarios were developed and tested in nutritional composition databases of branded products in four countries. The updated Nutri-Score nutrient profile model allows a better discrimination between products, in closer alignment with FBDGs, while the updated algorithm adopts a stricter approach for products that are high in components of concern (including non-nutritive sweeteners) and low in favourable dietary components.

The incremental healthcare cost associated with cancer in Belgium: A registry-based data analysis.

Background: Similar to many countries, Belgium experienced a rapid increase in cancer diagnoses in the last years. Considering that a large part of cancer types could be prevented, our study aimed to estimate the annual healthcare burden of cancer per site, and to compare cost with burden of disease estimates to have a better understanding of the impact of different cancer sites in Belgium.

Methods: We used nationally available data sources to estimate the healthcare expenditure.

Age-Specific Quantification of Overweight/Obesity Risk Factors From Infancy to Adolescence and Differences by Educational Level of Parents.

To explore the age-dependent associations between 26 risk factors and BMI in early life, and differences by parental educational level. Data of 10,310 children (24,155 measurements) aged 2-16 years participating in a multi-centre European cohort from 2007 to 2014 were utilized. Trajectories of overweight/obesity risk factors and their age-specific associations with BMI were estimated using polynomial mixed-effects models.

Unhealthy food availability, prominence and promotion in a representative sample of supermarkets in Flanders (Belgium): a detailed assessment.

Introduction: The supermarket food environment is a key setting for potential public health interventions. This study assessed food availability, prominence and promotion in a representative sample of supermarkets in Flanders (Belgium).

Methods: A sample of 55 supermarkets across five chains and 16 Flemish municipalities was selected in 2022, about 64% in the most deprived socioeconomic areas.

Upstream Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Europe.

Purpose Of Review: To review the upstream determinants of overweight and obesity in Europe, including food and built environments, and political, commercial, and socioeconomic determinants.

Recent Findings: Overweight and obesity affect 60% of European adults, and one in three children, and are more common in individuals with low compared to high socioeconomic position (SEP). Individuals in low SEP groups are more exposed to unhealthy built and food environments, including higher exposure to unhealthy food marketing.

The role of the perceived environment for recreational walking among adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations: A study using walk-along interviews.

Background: Persons in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations (PSEDS) are generally less likely to engage in recreational walking (RW) compared to higher socioeconomic groups and are often more dependent on their local environment. Studies on RW have primarily focused on the role of the built environment for the general adult population and the older population in urban areas. The aim of this study is to qualitatively identify the perceived environmental factors affecting RW among PSEDS in peri-urban areas.

Proposed methods for evaluating efforts made by governments to prevent and mitigate corporate influence and conflicts of interest in public health policy.

There is evidence that corporations try to delay, weaken, and avoid the adoption of measures that would protect and improve population health. This is particularly true and problematic for health harming industries, such as those producing ultra-processed foods, alcohol, and cigarettes. Financial conflicts of interest (COI) are also problematic in policy-making because they may compromise decision-makers' loyalty and independent judgment.