Shauna Downs Menzies Centre for Health Policy

The University of Sydney

HUMAN HEALTH AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN AUSTRALIA

What is the role of policy?

Waskaganish, Québec

NUTRITION SECURITY: All people at all times consume food of sufficient quantity in calories and quality in terms of variety, diversity, nutrient

content and safety to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO)

Nutrition Scenario in Australia

• Estimated that 5% of the overall Australian population are food insecure – Vulnerable groups (15-24%): Indigenous people,

unemployed, single parent households, low income earners, young people, refugees, etc.

• High rates of overweight and obesity − Approximately 61% of adults and 25% of children

(AIHW, 2010; AIFS, 2011)

INCREASED RISK OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Quantity over Quality of food?

Quantity AND Quality of food

Healthy and sustainable food is more expensive

(Barosh et al. ANZJPH; 2014 38(1), 7-12)

Intervening across the food system

(Growing food security Alberta)

AVAILABILITY, AFFORDABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS

Increasing access to affordable healthy foods: the role of policy

Agricultural production

Processing

Distribution and Retail

Labelling and Promotion

• Incentives for horticulture and crop diversification

• Investment in R&D and technology • Investment in local production

• Healthier ingredients in food processing (e.g., less salt, sugar and unhealthy fat)

• Food fortification

• Economic incentives (taxes and subsidies)

• Zoning laws • Farm-to-school programs • Community and school gardens

• Improved labelling (leads to product

reformulation) • Restrictions on food marketing

Local examples of using policy to improve access to nutritious foods

Policies to promote local food production

• Brazil and Japan: 30% of food procured for school lunches must be purchased from local farmers – United States (Missouri, Hawaii, New Jersey)

• Caribbean and Pacific island countries: community food projects to promote the domestic cultivation of fruit and vegetables in place of imported food products

BENEFITS FARMERS AND CONSUMERS

(WCRF, Nourishing Framework; Politico Pro Agriculture)

Policies to promote the purchase of healthier foods

• Increasing access to fresh food in New York City – NYC green carts – Prescriptions for fruits and vegetables for low-

income families at risk of non-communicable diseases

30% food consumed sourced within 50km by 2020

Conclusions

• Government policy needs to focus on increasing both the quantity and quality of food

• Policy interventions are needed across the entire food supply chain

• Local governments have a key role to play in terms of developing policies that support improving the availability, affordability and acceptability of healthier foods