Twelfth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The global population faces rising burden of lifestyle and diet-related non-communicable diseases. In context of the current and future epidemiological trends, a coherent, evidence-based and consequent food policy appears to be a crucial area of public policy, integrating different areas of other public policies and focusing them on reducing the risks associated with diet-related diseases. The aims of our study are to depict the state of healthy food environment policies in Poland; and to identify and prioritize healthy food environment policies in Poland, based on their importance, achievability and equity. We applied the Healthy Food Policy Index (Food-EPI). Selected panel of experts was asked to rate the extent of implementation of the Polish policies and policy infrastructure compared to previously identified best practice. Based on the ratings the experts developed and prioritised a list of recommended actions. We applied the Krippendorf’s Alpha test to verify inter-rater reliability. For 12 out of 44 indicators we found no evidence for government actions that would meet the criteria set out in the Food-EPI definition. The lack or limited government’s involvement has been particularly observed in the domains related to food promotion, food provision, food in retail and health in all policies. Of all the identified actions, the highest priority was given to implementation of food labelling system and training for persons involved in nutrition in schools. The healthy food environment in Poland is poorly developed and requires intensified government activities especially in the area of policies development.