The training and support needs of 22 programme directors of community-based childhood obesity interventions based on the EPODE approach: an online survey across programmes in 18 countries.

BACKGROUND: Tackling childhood obesity is complex and requires a community-based approach implemented in multiple environments. It is known from literature that knowledgeable and skilled professionals are essential to implement such an approach successfully. The aim of the present study was to assess the need for training and support among a global network of programme directors implementing a Community-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention (CBCOI) based on the EPODE approach, in order to assist them in optimising the implementation process. METHODS: An online survey was sent to 40 programme directors representing programmes implementing a CBCOI based on the EPODE approach. The survey consisted of statements on a 5-point Likert scale and multiple-choice questions about attitude towards and usefulness of training and support, and preferences for some predefined training types and training topics. In total, 22 programme directors responded to the survey (55% response rate). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics to describe the need for support in order to improve successful implementation. RESULTS: Respondents strongly agreed that continually updating skills and learning how to make their programmes more effective and sustainable at the start and during the implementation was important. On-site training was preferred most at the commencement of a programme, while a 2-day training course was most valued during implementation. Monitoring, measuring and programme evaluation was identified as the most valuable training topic. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a continuing and significant need for support and training among programme directors implementing a CBCOI. The findings give directions regarding topics and types of training and support in order to improve the implementation process.

[A front-of-pack labelling system for food and beverages for Mexico: a strategy of healthy decision-making.] / Sistema de etiquetado frontal de alimentos y bebidas para México: una estrategia para la toma de decisiones saludables.

The Mexican Ministry of Health requested the National Institute of Public Health to constitute a group of independent, free of conflict-of-interest academic experts on front-of-pack labelling (FOP). This group was instructed to created a positioning paper to contribute to the development of a FOP system for industrialized products that offers useful information for purchase decision making. This position paper uses the best available scientific evidence, and recommendations from experts of international organizations. The FOP proposal focuses on the contents of energy, nutrients, ingredients and components that if consumed in excess on the diet, can be harmful to people's health, such as added sugars, sodium, total fat, saturated fat and energy. The academic expert group recommends the implementation of a FOP that provides an easy way to quickly assess the quality of a product. It is essential that this FOP provides direct, simple, visible and easily understandable information.

La Secretaría de Salud solicitó al Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública la conformación de un grupo de expertos académicos en etiquetado de alimentos y bebidas, independientes y libres de conflictos de interés, que tuvieran la encomienda de emitir una postura para contribuir al desarrollo de un sistema de etiquetado frontal para productos industrializados que proporcione información útil para facilitar la decisión de compra. La postura utiliza la mejor evidencia científica disponible y recomendaciones de expertos convocados por organismos internacionales. Así, la propuesta de etiquetado frontal se centra en el contenido de energía, nutrimentos, ingredientes y componentes cuyo exceso en la dieta puede ser perjudicial para la salud, como azúcares añadidos, sodio, grasas totales, grasas saturadas y energía. El grupo recomienda implementar un etiquetado frontal que, de forma sencilla, permita evaluar de manera rápida la calidad de un producto al momento de realizar una compra; por ello, es indispensable que éste proporcione información directa, sencilla, visible y fácil de entender.