R Huang

Longitudinal changes on individual body weight and waist circumference in Hong Kong Chinese

Rapidly changing obesogenic environments (eg the increasing supply and promotion of ultra-processed foods) are considered ‘drivers’ of the global rise in obesity whereas less rapidly changing, but still influential, environments (eg built or sociocultural environments) can be conceptualised as ‘moderators’ which accelerate or dampen the impact of the drivers on obesity prevalence. These obesogenic environments are significantly influenced by the policies and actions of governments and the private sector but the accountability systems for ensuring these are implemented in a way that promotes healthy eating are weak. Civil society has an opportunity to play a major role in monitoring food environments to strengthen accountability processes. INFORMAS (International Network for Food and Obesity/NCD Research, Monitoring and Action Support) is a network of public interest researchers and NGOs which aims to monitor and benchmark food environments and the policies and actions which affect them. Monitoring frameworks for two process modules (actions of government and food industry) and 7 impact modules (food composition, labelling, promotions, prices, provision, retail, and trade and investment) have been developed and pilot tested for INFORMAS. International examples of good practice are currently being sought to provide benchmarks against which the policy actions of governments can be fairly judged. Over time as food environments get repeatedly measured across countries and compared with international benchmarks, the evidence base and accountability systems for reducing the obesogenicity of food environments will be strengthened. Physical activity environments, which are under more local government control, are also amenable to monitoring and accountability strengthening.Track 6: From home environment to society: causes and consequences - Session 27: The exposome: Poster presentation