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Volume 11, Issue 3 (Aug 2026)
JNFS 2026, 11(3): 359-371 |
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Shareghfarid E, Dorosty Motlagh A, Takian A, Esmaeilzadeh A. Dietary Policies Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in Iran: Challenges and Policy Gaps. JNFS 2026; 11 (3) :359-371
URL: http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1492-en.html
URL: http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1492-en.html
Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (524 Views)
Background: In low and middle-income countries Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a severe problem requiring attention. The present study aimed to evaluate dietary policies and compare them with best practices in European countries to analyze Iran’s progress in NCD-related nutritional challenges. Methods: it was searched the National databases. To gain a deeper understanding of nutritional policies, the researchers interviewed with 27 individuals from various sectors of the food system. These semi-structured interviews were systematically transcribed and analyzed using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches within the NOURISHING framework and the Health Policy Triangle. Results: By analyzing documents and interviews, it was revealed that dietary interventions in Iran, compared to the NOURISHING framework, are classified into 3 main policy processes, which are: 30% of interventions in Iran have not been formulated; 15% were formulated but not implemented and 55% have been implemented. Challenges in policy implementation were analyzed across three main dimensions: Policy process, policy content, and policy context, as well as four sub-dimensions: dietary behavior, food environment, food system, and policy context. Actions requiring improvement include: Food environment (12%): Measures like unhealthy food taxation, unhealthy food advertisements, food quality in retail outlets, and school canteen standards need revision; Dietary behavior (2%): Nutrition education in schools and community education requires modifications and Food system (1%): Cross-sectoral collaboration within the food system in Iran is weak. Conclusion: The authors found that Iran has made considerable efforts to mitigate NCDs. However, due to low attention to socio-economic factors in policy making, weaknesses in food system governance, environmental, and educational dietary policies have not reached their expected efficiency.
Type of article: orginal article |
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public specific
Received: 2025/10/13 | Published: 2026/08/19 | ePublished: 2026/08/19
Received: 2025/10/13 | Published: 2026/08/19 | ePublished: 2026/08/19
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