A Proposed Research Agenda for Promoting Healthy Retail Food Environments in the East Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper aimed to summarise existing literature on strategies to improve the healthiness of retail food environments in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, and propose a prioritised research agenda on this topic.

Recent findings: Little research on retail food environments has been conducted in the EAP region. Several approaches for measuring retail food environments were identified, although none have been tailored to the EAP context. A small number of policies and initiatives to promote healthy retail food environments have been implemented in EAP. Lessons learnt from successful implementation of initiatives in other regions could be applied in EAP. Retail food environments have a strong influence on food choices and health outcomes. Research can contribute to efforts to improve the healthiness of retail food environments in EAP by (1) describing the current state of retail food environments to highlight areas of good practice and concern and (2) identifying policies and initiatives that are likely to be effective, and mechanisms for their successful implementation.

Keywords: East Asia and Pacific; Food acquisition; Low- and middle-income countries; Research agenda; Retail food environment.