Dietary Policies Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in Iran: Challenges and Policy Gaps

Abstract

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.