National food policies in the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at control and prevention of noncommunicable diseases (original) (raw)
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Development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Iran: A Preliminary Report
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2007
items). Three pictorial FBDGs were then designed: a plate, a pyramid, and a rectangle. Thus, three posters were prepared by the working teams and revised by a group of experts, followed by a preliminary evaluation. The final step will be field testing of the three revised, modified designs by the public and experts and their final evaluation.
Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran, 2020
Background: Tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their multifaceted, complex risk factors requires identifying policy gaps and translation of successful experiences for each setting. As advocated by World Health Organization (WHO), reducing sugar, salt, and fat are among best buys for prevention and control of NCDs. This article reports the status of existing policies to reduce the consumption of sugar, salt, and fat in Iran. Methods: We created a comprehensive repository of available policy documents about sugar, salt, and fat policies in Iran and conducted content analysis and interviews with relevant stakeholders. Then, we compared policies and their content with the WHO's best buys' recommendations. Results: We categorized policies in 3 groups: red colour (no mention in the policy documents), amber (inspirational policy mention without action), and green (policy in operation). For example, regarding sugar, we found 8 policies in green, 1 in amber. Our matrix of policies on all 3 topics created a platform for further policy analysis and transferrable lessons to improve national actions towards 30% reduction of death due to NCDs in Iran. Conclusion: It has been globally recognized that beyond technical solutions to combat NCDs, feasible and meaningful policy solutions must be created that are aligned with the political economy of each context. This necessitates learning from national, regional, and global experiences to manage the political economy of NCDs' main determinants. To this end, our study provides a systematic and evidencebased framework, which may also be beneficial for other nations.
Dietary Risk Reduction Projects in Industrial Foods in Iran
2020
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the major cause of death worldwide. High intake of salt, sugar and fat are known as main risk factors for NCD. To address the issue some projects have been implemented in the country. This study aimed to seek for the initiatives targeting salt, sugar, and fat reduction in industrial foods and the status of implementation of food labeling. Meanwhile, we searched for studies which evaluated the above mentioned projects. Methods: We conducted an extensive review in domestic sources namely reports of national plans, protocols, dissertations, and progress reports of ongoing and terminated projects as well as rules and standards of Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) and Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). Findings: There were several main projects in the country regarding reduction of dietary risk factors in industrial foods. Traffic light food labeling scheme and restrictions on imports of palm oil or food containing i...
Journal of Health Population and Nutrition, 2023
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, specifically cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the main reason for more than two-thirds of global deaths, in which the unhealthy diet is one of the primary risk factors. The golden solution to reducing obesity and CVD linked to an unhealthy diet is to reduce calories, salt, sugar, and fat intake. Besides, activities highlighting lifestyles that contain healthy diets usually focus on reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat consumption. As a result, the researchers aimed to study the gaps and economic barriers to recommended consumption of salt, sugar, and fat in Iran, based on WHO recommendations. Methods This is a qualitative study. We conducted semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 30 stakeholders, including academics, experts, and key informants in different sectors from December 2018 until August 2019 in Tehran, Iran. We used a purposeful and snowball sampling method to select participants. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using MAXQDA 11. Results Economic problems and inflation in Iran caused people to eat more unhealthy foods, while a healthy diet consumption was reduced due to higher prices. Unfair political sanctions imposed on the country caused economic pressure and adversely affected family nutrition. Worse still, despite legal bans, advertising unhealthy foods via media, mainly to generate revenue, encouraged more consumption of unhealthy food. The lack of targeted subsidies and failure in tax legislation and implementation related to the unhealthy products deteriorated the conditions. Conclusion Some economic barriers have hampered plans to reduce salt, fat, and sugar consumption in Iran. Fundamental reforms in the tax and subsidy system are required to improve people's eating habits. In particular, citizens' income that has been continuously shrinking due to economic conditions, imposed sanctions, and the inevitably high inflation needs to be addressed urgently. Unless the government of Iran deals with the economic barriers to healthy nutrition, the pathway for implementing the national action plan for prevention and control of NCDs toward a 30% mortality reduction due to NCDs by 2030 looks unlikely to reach.
Policy Analysis of Socio-cultural Determinants of Salt, Sugar and Fat Consumption in Iran
2021
Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the first reason for death worldwide, in which an unhealthy diet is the leading risk factor. It is estimated that 20 percent of all death is related to food. The Unhealthy diet includes many foods with excessive salt, sugar and fat. This paper reports a national study on the socio-cultural determinants affecting salt, sugar and fat consumption in Iran. Methods: This is a qualitative study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 various purposefully identified key stakeholders to collect data from December 2018 until August 2019 in Iran.Results: We identified socio-cultural determents of salt, fat and sugar consumption as follows: inadequate structure of traditional medicine, training some non-scientific principles, people's desire for traditional foods, low health literacy, inappropriate management of the media and social networks and the progressive decline of people's trust in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). W...
The health system barriers to a healthy diet in Iran
PLOS ONE
BackgroundDecreasing calories, salt, sugar and fat intake is considered the golden solution to reduce obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) related to unhealthy diet. This study aimed to investigate the health system induced barriers to a healthy diet in Iran.MethodsThis is a qualitative health policy analysis. We collected data through 30 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with purposefully identified experts, including policy-makers, top-level managers and related stakeholders. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with qualitative content analysis, facilitated by MAXQDA 11 software.ResultsWe identified six categories of barriers: structural problems within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), i.e. Supreme Council of Health and Food Security (SCHFS); the MoHME’s inadequate stewardship of public health, the short life of the deputy of social affairs within the MoHME and its possible impact on the National Health Assembly; inefficient tra...
BMC Health Services Research
Background Non- communicable diseases (NCDs) are the main cause of death, which lead to over 73% of death and 62% of DALYs globally. As an unhealthy diet is the leading behavioral risk factor of NCDs, in line with the national action plan for the prevention and control of NCD, this study explored the nutrition-related stewardship problems to reduce the burden of NCDs in Iran. Methods This is a qualitative study. We interviewed 30 purposefully identified key informants, i.e., stakeholders, policymakers, and academics, from December 2018 to August 2019. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed data using qualitative content analysis facilitated by MAXQDA 11 software. Results Ample policies and laws were identified, most of which were not or partially implemented. Despite some plausible efforts, NCDs do not seem to be a top priority for high-level managers and decision-makers. Besides, the role of non-state actors, i.e., the private sector, is marginal in NCD’...
2015
Background: The aim of this study was to survey Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of fast foods, soft drinks, salt and oil in urban and rural regions in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Iranian households in both rural and urban areas of 31 provinces of Iran (2011-2012) including 14,136 persons who were responsible for cooking in family were studied. The sampling method was the single-stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters at households in each province. The data was gathered by using a structured questionnaire covering demographic variables, knowledge, attitude and practice about fast foods, soft drinks, salt, and oil by interview with the qualified person. Results: Households in urban areas had higher correct knowledge level and favorable attitude toward fast foods, soft drinks, salt and oil than households in rural areas. The consumption of sausage, junk food, soft drink and synthetic juice was higher in rural (p<0.05).While, consumption of pizza, sa...
The Iranian Food Consumption Program (IFCP), A Unique Nutritional Software in Iran
The Iranian Food Consumption Program (IFCP), a unique program in Iran was developed to aim accurate calculation of nutrient intakes in relation to heart health investigation released in Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center in March 1998 for the first time. The new versions came out along changes in computer technology. This interview-based program is designed to gather data through designed questionnaires in two dietary and non-dietary parts under an individual code number for each subject. The interview can be repeated to nine times for each code number. The non-dietary questionnaires are used to obtain information about personal, demographic and anthropometric characteristics, lipid profiles, personal and family history for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure and heart rate records as well as physical activity data. The dietary data collection is flexibility programmed to be able to match easily with different methods of nutrition assessment especially record-assisted 24-hour recall method. A photographic food atlas makes food recalling accurate, easily and in real quantity and quality amounts. Therefore, a separate food list is made for each subject containing foods, ingredients and composed nutrients by record. Food analysis is performed to obtain daily nutrients intakes extremely accurate according to Iranian Food Table with over 1377 food items and values of 45 nutrients. The ultimate file can be exported in nearly eleven formats for statistical analysis. Consequently, the nutrient status can be easily investigated in designed studies for individuals, groups and populations especially concerning heart health. Also, the validity of the software was established by a comparative study through a trial and error. IFCP is useful for diet therapy, dietetic practice, nutrition research and epidemiological survey.
Effectiveness of Community-based Intervention to Promote Iran's Food-based Dietary Guidelines
International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2012
Background: Dietary Guidelines are considered as a useful tool for the promotion of healthy dietary behaviors. In Iran, despite the development of the latest National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, in 2006, it has not been introduced at the community level yet. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program to promote Iran's Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (IFBDGs) in urban adult women. Methods: A sample of 435 healthy women, aged 26 to 54 years, was randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. ...