Policy options for healthier retail food environments in city-regions: The case for a solid measurement foundation

The BCCDC/NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. The seminars can be attended in-person or online.

Speaker: Leia Minaker, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo

Abstract: Measurement of the food environment can be complex and depends on community context. In deciding which retail food environment measure to implement, three important criteria are worth considering: Relevance; Resources, and; Response. Relevance refers to whether the food environment measure is theoretically and empirically related to dietary or health outcomes. Resources considers the cost of undertaking the measurement. Response refers to the type of response that your measurement will elicit from decision makers in your community. Four specific types of responses to municipal retail food environments will be presented, including those related to urban and regional planning, transforming consumer environments, economic and fiscal instruments, and a culture of transparency and public participation.