Young people’s perspectives on policies to create healthier food environments in England
Bibliographic Data
Food environments are important determinants of healthy diets among young people. This study explored young people’s perspectives on their food environment, their recommendations to policymakers and views on youth engagement in policy processes. There is limited research on young people’s perspectives on their involvement in developing food environment policies. Youth engagement in policymaking processes can lead to greater policy integrity and inclusivity. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 39 young people (12–21 years) from a town in North West England and a metropolitan area in the English Midlands. Participants were recruited through youth organizations. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Young people reported concerns about the density of fast food outlets in their local area, the unaffordability of healthier food, and fast food advertisement. These issues were not believed to be prioritized in local and national policymaking. Accordingly, policy recommendations were mainly for structural food environment policies, including restrictions on fast food outlet density and incentives for menu reformulation. Young people did not feel involved in local decisions about the food environment. They expressed a need for more meaningful engagement beyond consultation. Young people have repeatedly shown to have a deep understanding of the social, commercial and political factors that influence diet and health. It is essential that policymakers aiming to improve young people’s diets take their unique views and concerns into account to create effective policies that resonate with young people.
Agriculture · Business · Economics · Focus group · Food choice · Food policy · Food security · Geography · Incentive · Metropolitan area · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Marketing · Medicine · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Obesogenic environments
Informas ( I nternational N etwork for F ood and O besity/non‐communicable diseases R esearch, M onitoring and A ction S upport)
Role of government policy in nutrition—barriers to and opportunities for healthier eating
Thematic Analysis
Australian young people’s perceptions of the commercial determinants of the climate crisis
Supporting young people as genuine political actors in climate decision-making
Young people’s views about the use of celebrities and social media influencers in gambling marketing
Shifting From Tokenism to Meaningful Adolescent Participation in Research for Obesity Prevention
“It is always there in your face.” Australian young people discuss exposure to gambling activities and promotions
A framework for implementing Patient and Public Involvement in mental health research
Implementation of a youth‐adult partnership model in youth mental health systems research
Youth engagement in mental health research
Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy
It All Kind of Links Really’
Facilitating health and wellbeing is "everybody's role"
A critique of the English national policy from a social determinants of health perspective using a realist and problem representation approach
Exploring the influence of local food environments on food behaviours
The local food environment and diet
Youth participation in policy-making processes in the United Kingdom
Area deprivation and the food environment over time
Do ‘environmental bads’ such as alcohol, fast food, tobacco, and gambling outlets cluster and co-locate in more deprived areas in Glasgow City, Scotland
Exploring the limitations of an adult-led agenda for understanding the health behaviours of young people
Perceptions of the food marketing environment among African American teen girls and adults
Food in my life
A qualitative study exploring how school and community environments shape the food choices of adolescents with overweight/obesity
A Typology of Youth Participation and Empowerment for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion
Youth‐Adult Partnerships in Decision Making
A Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Obesity Prevention Strategies on Socioeconomic Inequalities in Weight
Innovations in democratic governance
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Examining Citizen Participation
Examining citizen participation
Engaging Youth in Municipal Government
No new fast-food outlets allowed! Evaluating the effect of planning policy on the local food environment in the North East of England
Lifestyle drift and the phenomenon of 'citizen shift' in contemporary UK health policy
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |