OP15 Identifying the most effective public health nutrition policies: The views of policy-makers and thought-leaders across 14 EU countries

Background EuroHeart 2 is a European research programme led by the European Heart Network and European Society of Cardiology (http://www.ehnheart.org/euroheart-ii.html). One aspect of the project aimed to identify the most effective public health nutrition policies, in order to inform future evidence-based strategies to promote cardiovascular health. We interviewed senior policy-makers and thought-leaders in 14 diverse EU countries to elicit their views on a very wide range of possible nutrition strategies covering the entire public health policy spectrum aimed at improving approaches to public health nutrition. Methods We first mapped national nutrition policies across 30 European countries. We then identified contacted and recruited potential participants in 14 diverse countries. Policy-makers, thought-leaders and others active in the field of public health nutrition at the national level were interviewed. Questions were first developed and piloted with senior stakeholders in the UK. The interviews were conducted in English, either by person, telephone or Skype. The interviews typically lasted between 45 and 60 minutes. The interviews were transcribed and entered into NVIVO software. The Framework approach was used to analyse the transcripts. Results We conducted 66 interviews in 14 countries across Europe. The interviews enabled more up to date and accurate information than was provided on websites or in reports. Responses revealed important differences between official lists of food policies and their actual implementation “on the ground”. European countries are at very different stages of addressing public health nutrition issues. Most are promoting dialogue, recommendations and guidelines (often considered an early part of the policy process). Voluntary reformulation of foods is also common, especially for salt, sugar and total fat. However, legislation regulation or fiscal interventions targeting salt, sugar, fat or fruit and vegetable consumption are still uncommon. Many interviewees expressed a preference for regulation and fiscal interventions and generally believed they were more effective, albeit politically more challenging. Conversely, information-based interventions were often seen as being more politically feasible. Conclusion Public health nutrition policies in Europe represent a complex, dynamic and rapidly changing arena. Encouragingly, the majority of countries are engaged in activities intended to increase consumption of health food, and decrease the intake of junk food and sugary drinks. Exemplar countries demonstrating notable progress might include Finland, Norway, Iceland, Hungary, the UK and Portugal. However, most countries fall well short of optimal activities. Implementation of potentially powerful nutrition policies remains frustratingly patchy across Europe.