Policy action initiatives against obesity in Colombia: a literature review using the NOURISHING framework methodology Colombian policy actions against obesity

Abstract

Introduction: In Colombia, obesity is a public health problem that must be addressed by the government through policy action initiatives (PAIs), that is, governmental actions that may or may not be implemented. Objective: To identify PAIs and policy action evaluations (PAEs) against obesity formulated in Colombia since 2005 using the NOURISHING framework methodology. Materials and methods: The search for evidence was conducted between March and August 2019 (with an update in August 2020) as follows: PAIs in government and civil society organization websites. and PAEs in PubMed, SciELO and the Sinergia repository. PAIs were classified according to NOURISHING policy areas. Results: A total of 42 PAIs with 82 lines of action were found: 16 (24 lines) implemented, 17 (37 lines) not implemented, and 9 (21 lines) with insufficient information to determine their implementation (21 lines). These PAIs encompassed all the NOURISHING framework policy areas. The implemented PAIs have more lines of action in the “Harness food supply chain and actions across sectors” area (8/24), while those that have not been implemented have more lines in the “Restrict food and beverage advertising” area (10/37). There were 13 PAEs, and most of them were about food security PAIs focused on food supply (4/13). Conclusions: Colombia has PAIs against obesity that address all the policy areas of the NOURISHING framework. Implemented PAIs focus on food supply, while non-implemented PAIs focus on regulatory measures. A greater government commitment is required in the implementation of PAIs that allow improving the dietary habits of the Colombian population, which will help reduce obesity rates in the country in the medium and long term.