Research
Adherence
Regulatory bans or restrictions on unhealthy foods (e.g., trans fat bans, SSB bans) and mandates for healthier options in institutional settings (schools) significantly improve dietary quality and reduce consumption of target nutrients, whereas menu labeling alone has negligible impact on purchasing behavior.
If you are a policymaker or business owner, implement bans on trans fats and restrictions on sugary drinks in vending/schools. Do not rely on menu labeling alone, as evidence shows it fails to change purchasing behavior.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Nutrition-related studies found greater effects because of bans/restrictions on unhealthy foods, mandates offering healthier foods, and altering purchase/payment rules on foods purchased using low-income food vouchers compared with other interventions (menu labelling, new supermarkets).
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 37 natural/quasi-experiments, with strong designs (+++) showing expected results for bans.
Source
Impact of policy and built environment changes on obesity‐related outcomes: a systematic review of naturally occurring experiments
Stephanie L. Mayne et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2015
systematic_reviewCited 299×
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