Gary Sacks
Biographic Data
| ID | 3789490 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Gary Sacks |
| GIVEN NAMES | Gary |
| FAMILY NAME | Sacks |
| SIGNATURE | SACKS G |
| AFFILIATIONS | The authors are with the Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 28 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 28 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Methods to evaluate community food hubs in high-income countries: A scoping review
Community food hubs have potential to strengthen local food systems and promote food security, but evaluation methods have not been systematically reviewed. A scoping review was conducted to analyse methods used to evaluate community food hubs in high-income countries. Studies and reports published in English between January 2013 and December 2023 were sought in four databases. Food hubs with a physical market selling healthy local food, that had…
Capitalising (on) industrial epidemics: Examining the influence of the ‘Big Three’ asset managers on corporate governance in key health-harming commodity industries
In recent decades, the Big Three asset managers (BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street) have emerged to be among the top shareholders in thousands of listed companies worldwide. Accordingly, they have considerable influence on corporate decision-making. This paper aimed to examine the influence of the Big Three on the governance of leading corporations in key health-harming commodity industries responsible for a large burden of preventable death and …
Global market trends and financial performance of the corporate fast-food industry and their potential contributions to diets high in meat and ultra-processed foods
BACKGROUND: The fast-food industry has transformed substantially in recent decades - from diverse, locally rooted providers into a globalised, and increasingly corporate-led industry. Corporate fast-food retailers (FFRs) represent a key retail channel through which both ultra-processed foods and intensively produced animal source foods are consumed and normalised within corporate-industrial food systems. These dietary patterns are strongly associ…
Protecting whose welfare? A document analysis of competition regulatory decisions in four jurisdictions across three harmful consumer product industries
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Competition regulation has a strong influence on the relative market power of firms. As such, competition regulation can complement industry-specific measures designed to address harms associated with excessive market power in harmful consumer product industries. This study aimed to examine, through a public health lens, assessments and decisions made by competition authorities in four jurisdictions (Australia, South Afric…
Which government policies to create sustainable food systems have the potential to simultaneously address undernutrition, obesity and environmental sustainability
INTRODUCTION: A transformation of food systems is urgently needed, given their contribution to three ongoing and interlinked global health pandemics: (1) undernutrition and food insecurity, (2) obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and (3) climate change and biodiversity loss. As policymakers make decisions that shape food systems, this study aimed to identify and prioritise policies with double- or triple-duty potential to achieve health…
Benchmarking for healthy food stores: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia to enhance adoption of health-enabling store…
ACTRN12622000596707, Protocol version 1
Understanding the corporate political activity of the ultra - processed food industry in East Asia: A Philippines case study
BACKGROUND: Evidence is mounting that the ultra - processed food industry seeks to influence food and nutrition policies in ways that support market growth and protect against regulatory threats, often at the expense of public health. However, few studies have explored how this occurs in lower - middle income countries. We aimed to explore if and how the ultra - processed food industry seeks to influence food- and nutrition - related policy proce…
The influence of share buybacks on ill-health and health inequity: An exploratory analysis using a socio-ecological determinants of health lens
INTRODUCTION: Share buybacks, when a corporation buys back its own shares, are recognised as having potentially harmful impacts on society. This includes by contributing to economic inequalities, and by impeding investments with the potential to protect and promote the welfare of various stakeholders. Share buybacks, however, have received minimal analytical attention in the public health literature. This paper aimed to explore the potential infl…
The structure of the Canadian packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing and grocery retailing sectors through a public health lens
BACKGROUND: Corporate power has been recognized as an important influence on food environments and population health more broadly. Understanding the structure of national food and beverage markets can provide important insight into the power held by leading corporations. This study aimed to descriptively analyze the structure of the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing and grocery retailing sectors as of 2020/21. METHODS: Packaged food manufa…
Awareness, use and understanding of nutrition labels among adults from five countries: Findings from the 2018–2020 International Food Policy Study
Strategies used by the soft drink industry to grow and sustain sales: A case-study of The Coca-Cola Company in East Asia
BACKGROUND: The market and non-market activities of the food and beverage industry contribute to unhealthy and unsustainable dietary patterns, increasingly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe how The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), as the world market leader in the sugar-sweetened beverage sector, operationalises their activities in LMICs in East Asia, among the world's most highly populated yet under-researched coun…
Integrating nutrition and obesity prevention considerations into institutional investment decisions regarding food companies: Australian investment sector perspectives
BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition that current food systems are both unhealthy and unsustainable, and are increasingly shifting toward the supply and marketing of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and beverages. Large food companies hold substantial power within food systems and present a significant barrier to progress on addressing issues related to nutrition and obesity prevention. Institutional investors (such as pension funds) play a k…
Maximising the wealth of few at the expense of the health of many: A public health analysis of market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market
BACKGROUND: Many of the harms created by the global soft drink industry that directly influence human and planetary health are well documented. However, some of the ways in which the industry indirectly affects population health, via various socio-economic pathways, have received less attention. This paper aimed to analyse the extent to which market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market negatively impa…
The influence of corporate market power on health: Exploring the structure-conduct-performance model from a public health perspective
We argue that the SCP model is well-placed to broaden public health research into the ways in which corporations influence health. In addition, the development of a comprehensive framework based on the key findings of this paper could help the public health community to better engage with a set of policy and regulatory tools that have the potential to curb the concentration of corporate power for the betterment of population health
Market strategies used by processed food manufacturers to increase and consolidate their power: A systematic review and document analysis
Identifying opportunities to strengthen school food environments in the Pacific: A case study in Samoa
Sustained and effective implementation of healthy school food policies requires continued engagement from political and community leaders, beyond initial commitment. There is potential to capitalize on political will for diet-related NCD prevention by more clearly demonstrating the institutional and operational requirements for effective and sustained implementation. Strong incentives for compliance and effective enforcement mechanisms are also l…
Energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverage sales in Australia: Where and when products are sold, and how sales are changing over time
Objective: To quantify sales trends for key energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages over 5 years in Australia. Design: The Euromonitor Global Market Information Database and linear regression models were used to estimate average annual change in sales per capita of thirteen EDNP food categories and two EDNP beverage categories (defined using Australian Dietary Guidelines) over 5 years (2012–2017 for foods and 2011–2016 for beverage…
OUP accepted manuscript
Fiscal tools are recommended as a part of a comprehensive approach to diet-related disease prevention, however, widespread adoption has been hampered by political and economic resistance. The aim of this study was to support an advocacy coalition in the Solomon Islands with evidence-based consideration of the development and implementation of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sensitive to local contextual factors and constraints. In 2017…
The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition, and Climate Change: The Lancet Commission report
Assessment of the stated policies of prominent food companies related to obesity and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention in Thailand
OBJECTIVE: To review the publicly available policies and commitments of selected food companies in Thailand relating to obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention, and to assess these stated policies and commitments against global recommendations. METHODS: Nineteen food and beverage companies, including 13 packaged food, three non-alcoholic beverage, two food retailer, and one fast food company were selected, based on their market sh…
Price Promotions by Food Category and Product Healthiness in an Australian Supermarket Chain, 2017–2018
Objectives. To examine the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions in a major Australian supermarket and how they differ between core (healthy) and discretionary (less healthy) food categories. Methods. Weekly online price data (regular retail price, discount price, and promotion type) on 1579 foods were collected for 1 year (April 2017 to April 2018) from the largest Australian supermarket chain. Products audited were classified according t…
Corporate political activity of major food companies in Thailand: An assessment and policy recommendations
BACKGROUND: The food industry can influence individual and population level food consumption behaviours, shape public preferences and interfere with government policy on obesity prevention and NCDs. This paper identifies the Corporate Political Activity (CPA) of major food companies in Thailand which relate to obesity and NCDs. METHODS: Using the INFORMAS framework to classify CPA, we reviewed publicly available information by 12 food companies b…
Implementation lessons for school food policies and marketing restrictions in the Philippines: A qualitative policy analysis
BACKGROUND: The school environment can enhance children's skills, knowledge and behaviours in relation to healthy eating. However, in many countries, unhealthy foods are commonly available in schools, and children can be exposed to aggressive marketing by the food industry. Taking the perspective of policymakers, this study aimed to identify barriers and enablers to effective school food policy development and implementation in the Philippines. M…
Analysis of the corporate political activity of major food industry actors in Fiji
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Fiji, a middle-income country in the Pacific. Some food products processed sold and marketed by the food industry are major contributors to the NCD epidemic, and the food industry is widely identified as having strong economic and political power. However, little research has been undertaken on the attempts by the food industry to influence public health-related po…
Strengthening of accountability systems to create healthy food environments and reduce global obesity
Awareness, use and understanding of nutrition labels among adults from five countries: Findings from the 2018–2020 International Food Policy Study
Price Promotions by Food Category and Product Healthiness in an Australian Supermarket Chain, 2017–2018
Objectives. To examine the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions in a major Australian supermarket and how they differ between core (healthy) and discretionary (less healthy) food categories. Methods. Weekly online price data (regular retail price, discount price, and promotion type) on 1579 foods were collected for 1 year (April 2017 to April 2018) from the largest Australian supermarket chain. Products audited were classified according t…
Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight
The global obesity pandemic: Shaped by global drivers and local environments
Strengthening of accountability systems to create healthy food environments and reduce global obesity
Do the foods advertised in Australian supermarket catalogues reflect national dietary guidelines?
Unhealthy diets are the major contributor to poor health in Australia and many countries globally. The majority of food spending in Australia occurs in supermarkets, which stock and sell both healthy and unhealthy foods. This study aimed to compare the foods advertised in the marketing catalogues (circulars) from four Australian supermarket chains with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. The content of national online weekly supermarket catal…
Analysis of the corporate political activity of major food industry actors in Fiji
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in Fiji, a middle-income country in the Pacific. Some food products processed sold and marketed by the food industry are major contributors to the NCD epidemic, and the food industry is widely identified as having strong economic and political power. However, little research has been undertaken on the attempts by the food industry to influence public health-related po…
Corporate political activity of major food companies in Thailand: An assessment and policy recommendations
BACKGROUND: The food industry can influence individual and population level food consumption behaviours, shape public preferences and interfere with government policy on obesity prevention and NCDs. This paper identifies the Corporate Political Activity (CPA) of major food companies in Thailand which relate to obesity and NCDs. METHODS: Using the INFORMAS framework to classify CPA, we reviewed publicly available information by 12 food companies b…
Implementation lessons for school food policies and marketing restrictions in the Philippines: A qualitative policy analysis
BACKGROUND: The school environment can enhance children's skills, knowledge and behaviours in relation to healthy eating. However, in many countries, unhealthy foods are commonly available in schools, and children can be exposed to aggressive marketing by the food industry. Taking the perspective of policymakers, this study aimed to identify barriers and enablers to effective school food policy development and implementation in the Philippines. M…
The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition, and Climate Change: The Lancet Commission report
Assessment of the stated policies of prominent food companies related to obesity and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention in Thailand
OBJECTIVE: To review the publicly available policies and commitments of selected food companies in Thailand relating to obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention, and to assess these stated policies and commitments against global recommendations. METHODS: Nineteen food and beverage companies, including 13 packaged food, three non-alcoholic beverage, two food retailer, and one fast food company were selected, based on their market sh…
Price Promotions by Food Category and Product Healthiness in an Australian Supermarket Chain, 2017–2018
Objectives. To examine the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions in a major Australian supermarket and how they differ between core (healthy) and discretionary (less healthy) food categories. Methods. Weekly online price data (regular retail price, discount price, and promotion type) on 1579 foods were collected for 1 year (April 2017 to April 2018) from the largest Australian supermarket chain. Products audited were classified according t…
Maximising the wealth of few at the expense of the health of many: A public health analysis of market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market
BACKGROUND: Many of the harms created by the global soft drink industry that directly influence human and planetary health are well documented. However, some of the ways in which the industry indirectly affects population health, via various socio-economic pathways, have received less attention. This paper aimed to analyse the extent to which market power and corporate wealth and income distribution in the global soft drink market negatively impa…
The influence of corporate market power on health: Exploring the structure-conduct-performance model from a public health perspective
We argue that the SCP model is well-placed to broaden public health research into the ways in which corporations influence health. In addition, the development of a comprehensive framework based on the key findings of this paper could help the public health community to better engage with a set of policy and regulatory tools that have the potential to curb the concentration of corporate power for the betterment of population health
Market strategies used by processed food manufacturers to increase and consolidate their power: A systematic review and document analysis
Identifying opportunities to strengthen school food environments in the Pacific: A case study in Samoa
Sustained and effective implementation of healthy school food policies requires continued engagement from political and community leaders, beyond initial commitment. There is potential to capitalize on political will for diet-related NCD prevention by more clearly demonstrating the institutional and operational requirements for effective and sustained implementation. Strong incentives for compliance and effective enforcement mechanisms are also l…
Energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverage sales in Australia: Where and when products are sold, and how sales are changing over time
Objective: To quantify sales trends for key energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages over 5 years in Australia. Design: The Euromonitor Global Market Information Database and linear regression models were used to estimate average annual change in sales per capita of thirteen EDNP food categories and two EDNP beverage categories (defined using Australian Dietary Guidelines) over 5 years (2012–2017 for foods and 2011–2016 for beverage…
OUP accepted manuscript
Fiscal tools are recommended as a part of a comprehensive approach to diet-related disease prevention, however, widespread adoption has been hampered by political and economic resistance. The aim of this study was to support an advocacy coalition in the Solomon Islands with evidence-based consideration of the development and implementation of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sensitive to local contextual factors and constraints. In 2017…
Strategies used by the soft drink industry to grow and sustain sales: A case-study of The Coca-Cola Company in East Asia
BACKGROUND: The market and non-market activities of the food and beverage industry contribute to unhealthy and unsustainable dietary patterns, increasingly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe how The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), as the world market leader in the sugar-sweetened beverage sector, operationalises their activities in LMICs in East Asia, among the world's most highly populated yet under-researched coun…
Integrating nutrition and obesity prevention considerations into institutional investment decisions regarding food companies: Australian investment sector perspectives
BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition that current food systems are both unhealthy and unsustainable, and are increasingly shifting toward the supply and marketing of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and beverages. Large food companies hold substantial power within food systems and present a significant barrier to progress on addressing issues related to nutrition and obesity prevention. Institutional investors (such as pension funds) play a k…
Understanding the corporate political activity of the ultra - processed food industry in East Asia: A Philippines case study
BACKGROUND: Evidence is mounting that the ultra - processed food industry seeks to influence food and nutrition policies in ways that support market growth and protect against regulatory threats, often at the expense of public health. However, few studies have explored how this occurs in lower - middle income countries. We aimed to explore if and how the ultra - processed food industry seeks to influence food- and nutrition - related policy proce…
The influence of share buybacks on ill-health and health inequity: An exploratory analysis using a socio-ecological determinants of health lens
INTRODUCTION: Share buybacks, when a corporation buys back its own shares, are recognised as having potentially harmful impacts on society. This includes by contributing to economic inequalities, and by impeding investments with the potential to protect and promote the welfare of various stakeholders. Share buybacks, however, have received minimal analytical attention in the public health literature. This paper aimed to explore the potential infl…
The structure of the Canadian packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing and grocery retailing sectors through a public health lens
BACKGROUND: Corporate power has been recognized as an important influence on food environments and population health more broadly. Understanding the structure of national food and beverage markets can provide important insight into the power held by leading corporations. This study aimed to descriptively analyze the structure of the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing and grocery retailing sectors as of 2020/21. METHODS: Packaged food manufa…
Awareness, use and understanding of nutrition labels among adults from five countries: Findings from the 2018–2020 International Food Policy Study
Protecting whose welfare? A document analysis of competition regulatory decisions in four jurisdictions across three harmful consumer product industries
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Competition regulation has a strong influence on the relative market power of firms. As such, competition regulation can complement industry-specific measures designed to address harms associated with excessive market power in harmful consumer product industries. This study aimed to examine, through a public health lens, assessments and decisions made by competition authorities in four jurisdictions (Australia, South Afric…
Which government policies to create sustainable food systems have the potential to simultaneously address undernutrition, obesity and environmental sustainability
INTRODUCTION: A transformation of food systems is urgently needed, given their contribution to three ongoing and interlinked global health pandemics: (1) undernutrition and food insecurity, (2) obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and (3) climate change and biodiversity loss. As policymakers make decisions that shape food systems, this study aimed to identify and prioritise policies with double- or triple-duty potential to achieve health…
Benchmarking for healthy food stores: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia to enhance adoption of health-enabling store…
ACTRN12622000596707, Protocol version 1
Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology (19 works) · Business (17 works) · Medicine (17 works) · Environmental health (13 works) · Public health (11 works) · Economics (10 works) · Political science (10 works) · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling (9 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (8 works) · Marketing (7 works)