Evaluation of Nutritional Policies of Some Developed Countries

Abstract

In the process of national policy formulation, various ministries of the governments prepare programs for implementation during a specific plan. These aspects of national policy are especially designed to improve the nutritional status of a population in a country; such policies are defined as ‘nutrition policy’. Primary objective of the nutrition policy is to improve health status of the low-income individuals, infants, pregnants, lactating mothers and the persons who in their critical periods of life (such as elderly) to the optimal level; prevent nutritional deficiencies and chronical diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Due to the diet and lifestyles of people has undergone a dramatic change all across the world and increases in the prevalence of chronic diseases, many countries have developed national actions plans and policies on food and nutrition. A country to have a nutrition policy, do not mean that the policy goals have been achieved. The situation where the objectives of nutrition policies are uncertain, will lead to the misapplication of nutrition policies or there may be a situtation that the policy objectives have been determined but could not be put into practice due to lack of resources or capacity. Various countries have a developed policy, however the policies have certain shortages. Such as; nutrition policies do not adequately consider gender and groups in vulnerable settings and the design of policies and programmes do not take into account how to combine universal and targeted policies. Therefore, nowadays most of the nutrition policies are in a mismatch with a good public health. During the evaluation and implementation of nutrition policies, there needs to be a stronger support and a shift towards stronger environmental approaches. Certain interventions, such as the cooperation with food manufacturers will significantly improves the health and nutritional status of the population.