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BackgroundEmerging evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Excessive alcohol consumption and “comfort eating” as coping mechanisms during times of high stress have been shown to further exacerbate mental and physical ill-health. Global examples suggest that unhealthy food and alcohol brands and companies are using the COVID-19 pandemic to further market their products. However, there has been no systematic, in-depth analysis of how “Big Food” and “Big Alcohol” are capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic to market their products and brands. ObjectiveWe aimed to quantify the extent and nature of online marketing by alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage companies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of all COVID-19-related social media posts made by leading alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage brands (n=42) and their parent companies (n=12) over a 4-month period (February to May 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. ResultsNearly 80% of included brands and all parent companies posted content related to COVID-19 during the 4-month period. Quick service restaurants (QSRs), food and alcohol delivery companies, alcohol brands, and bottle shops were the most active in posting COVID-19-related content. The most common themes for COVID-19-related marketing were isolation activities and community support. Promotion of hygiene and home delivery was also common, particularly for QSRs and alcohol and food delivery companies. Parent companies were more likely to post about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as donations of money and products, and to offer health advice. ConclusionsThis is the first study to show that Big Food and Big Alcohol are incessantly marketing their products and brands on social media platforms using themes related to COVID-19, such as isolation activities and community support. Parent companies are frequently posting about CSR initiatives, such as donations of money and products, thereby creating a fertile environment to loosen current regulation or resist further industry regulation. “COVID-washing” by large alcohol brands, food and beverage brands, and their parent companies is both common and concerning. The need for comprehensive regulations to restrict unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is particularly acute in the COVID-19 context and is urgently required to “build back better” in a post-COVID-19 world.

The aim of this study was to assess changes in mental health and wellbeing measures across a 50-day physical activity workplace program. The secondary aims assessed the relationship between demographic and pre-program physical activity self-reported variables, mental health, wellbeing and program engagement measures. The study utilized a naturalistic longitudinal design with a study population of 2903 people. Participants were engaged in the 10,000 step daily physical activity program for 50-days and measures of engagement were tracked. 1320 participants provided full pre/post-program data across a range of standardized mental health and wellbeing measures alongside demographic and program engagement measures. For individuals providing pre and post program data there was a significant reduction in anxiety (18.2%, p = .008), stress (13.0%, p = .014) and sleep related impairment (6.9%, p < .001) alongside a significant improvement in overall wellbeing (6.7%, p = .001). The data further showed no significant mental health differences were identified between individuals who recorded below versus equal to or above 10,000 steps. Regression analyses indicated numerous group and personal variables impacted mental health, wellbeing and program engagement. The study highlights improvements in a range of mental health and wellbeing scores occurred over the 50-day activity program for people who complete the program. Finally, the study identified a range of protective and risk factors for mental health benefits of these programs and level of engagement. Whilst there were similarities in the pre-program mental health and wellbeing scores of those who completed and those lost to follow-up, further research is required to better characterize and understand this group., Author(s): Karen T. Hallam [sup.1] [sup.2] , Anna Peeters [sup.3] , A. Gupta [sup.3] , S. Bilsborough [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.1021.2, 0000 0001 0526 7079, Institute for Mental and [...]

: Objective: Local governments (LGs) often own or manage sport and recreation facilities and can promote health in these settings by implementing healthy food policies. The primary aim of this study was to assess the policies, attitudes and practices of Australian LGs relating to obesity prevention and the provision of healthy food in this setting. Methods: In July 2020, all 539 Australian LGs were invited to complete a survey. We assessed LG priorities to obesity prevention, promoting healthy eating and public health as well as the presence of healthy food policies in sporting facilities. Results: 203 (38%) LGs completed the survey. Improving public health was a high priority, while obesity prevention and promoting healthy eating were a medium priority. 22% of LGs reported that the priority given to promoting healthy food had increased over the previous year and stayed the same at 65%. Ten per cent of LGs had a healthy food and drink policy in sporting facilities, with 32% reporting having made changes without a policy. LGs located in major cities, with larger populations and with more facilities reported having made more healthy changes at their facilities. Conclusion: Promoting health is a priority for LGs across Australia, but very few have policies relating to the food environments in their sporting facilities. Implications for public health: Ongoing monitoring is important to assess changes over time and identify LGs where greater support is required., The food we eat is strongly influenced by our environment.[sup.1] Sport and recreation facilities are a key setting for children and adults seeking to improve their health through physical activity, [...]

Objective: School-based prevention interventions informed by the World Health Organization Health Promoting School (HPS) framework aim to improve the health and wellbeing of school-aged children, yet few studies describe factors influencing the successful implementation of this framework in secondary schools. This study sought to explore why and how secondary schools might implement the HPS framework and factors contributing to success. Design: Qualitative case study. Setting: A single secondary school in Victoria, Australia, purposefully selected due to local recognition of an HPS policy. Method: Data collection included semi-structured interviews, document retrieval, drawings and ethnographic observation. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Results: The school had elected to implement the policy as it aligned with its existing health and wellbeing policy framework and provided a flexible yet evidence-based framework to guide a whole-of-school approach to promoting health and wellbeing. Success was perceived to be dependent on selecting easier health priority areas to address initially, the allocation of a designated team to guide policy implementation and access to a skilled health promotion worker to assist implementation. Conclusion: Study findings highlight potential reasons why and how secondary schools might implement the HPS framework and factors contributing to success. Further research is warranted to enhance the transferability of these findings and explore the impact of the HPS framework in secondary schools.

Summary: Obesity and diet‐related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have a profound impact on individuals, households, health care systems, and economies in low‐ and middle‐ income countries (LMICs), with the Western Pacific Region experiencing some of the highest impacts. Governments have committed to improving population diets; however, implementation challenges limit effective policy action. We undertook meta‐narrative synthesis of the academic literature and used theories of policymaking and implementation to synthesize current knowledge of issues affecting the adoption and implementation of policies to prevent obesity and diet‐related NCDs in LMICs in the Western Pacific Region. We found that political leadership and management of food and nutrition policies often diluted following policy adoption, and that nutrition and health advocates find it difficult to enforce policy compliance from actors outside their sectors. Opportunities for strengthening implementation of food and nutrition policies in the Western Pacific include (1) improved and earlier engagement between health policymakers and implementing agencies; (2) focusing on the need for increased accountability from governments, including through effective engagement and organization of actor networks, knowledge sharing, and in highlighting where stronger action is required; and (3) identifying and building the strategic capacities of policy actors in framing, advocacy, coalition‐building, knowledge translation, and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]