Actions in global nutrition initiatives to promote sustainable healthy diets

• Published in: Global food security 2021-12, Vol.31, p.100585, Article 100585
• Main Authors: Reyes, Ligia I., Constantinides, Shilpa V., Bhandari, Shiva, Frongillo, Edward A., Schreinemachers, Pepijn, Wertheim-Heck, Sigrid, Walls, Helen, Holdsworth, Michelle, Laar, Amos, Nguyen, Tuan, Turner, Christopher, Wellard, Kate, Blake, Christine E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Demand creation; Food and Nutrition; Food choice; Food environments; Food system; Life Sciences; Nutrition initiatives; Sustainable healthy diets
• ISSN: 2211-9124; 2211-9124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100585

Multiple recent global nutrition initiatives have recommended actions to transform food systems to improve food environments and food choice. This study aimed to identify actions recommended by these initiatives and understand their similarities and differences. Twelve global nutrition initiatives were reviewed, collectively spanning 13 action themes and accompanying strategies. Action themes were analyzed according to primary focus on either food environments and their food system drivers or food choice. Representation of the 13 actions varied across initiatives. Some actions overlapped; others were infrequently represented. Strategies targeting food environments and their food system drivers were more frequently recommended than strategies targeting food choice for 11 of the 13 action themes. Although these global initiatives share a mission to improve nutrition through food systems and food environments, less attention has been allocated to individual food choice and sustainability. •We analyzed the recommended actions of 12 global nutrition initiatives.•Global nutrition initiatives overlap in recommendations for a healthier food system.•Strategies aimed to modify food environments more than food choice for most actions.•Attention is needed to create demand for healthy diets by improving food choice.