Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review
Abstract Objective: To understand the characteristics of food environments in the Pacific region, and the broader economic, policy and sociocultural surroundings that influence food choices and interventions to improve food environments for Pacific communities. Design: Systematic searches were c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Public Health Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980024002350/type/journal_article |
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| author | Sela Ki Folau Fusi Clara Gómez-Donoso Kathryn Backholer Jennifer Browne Megan Ferguson Adrian J Cameron |
| author_facet | Sela Ki Folau Fusi Clara Gómez-Donoso Kathryn Backholer Jennifer Browne Megan Ferguson Adrian J Cameron |
| author_sort | Sela Ki Folau Fusi |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
Objective:
To understand the characteristics of food environments in the Pacific region, and the broader economic, policy and sociocultural surroundings that influence food choices and interventions to improve food environments for Pacific communities.
Design:
Systematic searches were conducted for articles related to food environments or factors influencing food choices from 1993 to 2024 in five academic databases, Google, Google Scholar and relevant organisations’ websites. Studies were included if they meet the eligibility criteria. Two authors independently reviewed the title and abstract of identified articles. Full-text screening was conducted before data were extracted from eligible studies. A narrative analysis was informed by an existing food environments framework.
Setting:
Pacific Island countries or territories that are a member of the Pacific Community (SPC).
Participants:
Not applicable.
Results:
From the sixty-six included studies (of 2520 records screened), it was clear that food environments in the Pacific region are characterised by high availability and promotion of ultra-processed unhealthy foods. These foods were reported to be cheaper than healthier alternatives and have poor nutritional labelling. Food trade and investment, together with sociocultural and political factors, were found to contribute to unhealthy food choices. Policy interventions have been implemented to address food environments; however, the development and implementation of food environment policies could be strengthened through stronger leadership, effective multisectoral collaboration and clear lines of responsibility.
Conclusions:
Interventions focused on improving physical, economic, policy and sociocultural influences on food choices should be prioritised in the Pacific region to improve the food environment and mitigate barriers to healthy eating.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-798aab70df184b09a3778f4e32ed8951 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-9800 1475-2727 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-798aab70df184b09a3778f4e32ed89512025-01-16T21:52:19ZengCambridge University PressPublic Health Nutrition1368-98001475-27272025-01-012810.1017/S1368980024002350Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping reviewSela Ki Folau Fusi0Clara Gómez-Donoso1Kathryn Backholer2Jennifer Browne3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6497-2541Megan Ferguson4Adrian J Cameron5Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaInstitute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaInstitute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaInstitute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaSchool of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, AustraliaInstitute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Abstract Objective: To understand the characteristics of food environments in the Pacific region, and the broader economic, policy and sociocultural surroundings that influence food choices and interventions to improve food environments for Pacific communities. Design: Systematic searches were conducted for articles related to food environments or factors influencing food choices from 1993 to 2024 in five academic databases, Google, Google Scholar and relevant organisations’ websites. Studies were included if they meet the eligibility criteria. Two authors independently reviewed the title and abstract of identified articles. Full-text screening was conducted before data were extracted from eligible studies. A narrative analysis was informed by an existing food environments framework. Setting: Pacific Island countries or territories that are a member of the Pacific Community (SPC). Participants: Not applicable. Results: From the sixty-six included studies (of 2520 records screened), it was clear that food environments in the Pacific region are characterised by high availability and promotion of ultra-processed unhealthy foods. These foods were reported to be cheaper than healthier alternatives and have poor nutritional labelling. Food trade and investment, together with sociocultural and political factors, were found to contribute to unhealthy food choices. Policy interventions have been implemented to address food environments; however, the development and implementation of food environment policies could be strengthened through stronger leadership, effective multisectoral collaboration and clear lines of responsibility. Conclusions: Interventions focused on improving physical, economic, policy and sociocultural influences on food choices should be prioritised in the Pacific region to improve the food environment and mitigate barriers to healthy eating. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980024002350/type/journal_articlePhysical food environmentEconomic food environmentPolitical food environmentSociocultural food environmentDietObesityPacific region |
| spellingShingle | Sela Ki Folau Fusi Clara Gómez-Donoso Kathryn Backholer Jennifer Browne Megan Ferguson Adrian J Cameron Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review Public Health Nutrition Physical food environment Economic food environment Political food environment Sociocultural food environment Diet Obesity Pacific region |
| title | Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review |
| title_full | Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review |
| title_short | Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review |
| title_sort | food environments in the pacific region and efforts to improve them a scoping review |
| topic | Physical food environment Economic food environment Political food environment Sociocultural food environment Diet Obesity Pacific region |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1368980024002350/type/journal_article |
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