Abstract
Background: The role of processed foods in nutrition transition in the Pacific is receiving some attention in the context of a significant obesity and diet-related noncommunicable disease health burden. However, trends, patterns and underlying drivers of processed food markets in the Pacific are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate recent trends and patterns of processed food markets in the region and interpret the findings by engaging key literature on relevant food systems drivers. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods approach involving two steps; (1) We analysed Euromonitor market sales data for processed food and beverage products sold from 2004–2018 for 16 countries differentiated by income level, and (2) guided by a food systems conceptual framework, we drew upon key literature to understand the likely drivers of our observations. Results: We observed plateaus and declines in processed food sales in some high-income countries but increases in upper-middle and lower-middle income countries, and most rapidly in the latter. Beverage markets appear to be stagnating across all income groups. Carbonated soft drinks, baked goods, vegetable oils, processed meats, noodles and sweet biscuits made up the majority of sales in transitioning countries. These observations are likely a result of income growth, urbanising populations, trade and globalisation, and various policies implemented by Pacific governments. Conclusions: A processed foods nutrition transition is well underway in the Pacific region and accelerating most prominently in lower-middle income countries.
Highlights
Unhealthy diets and poor nutrition are the leading contributors to the global burden of disease [1]
Are processed foods markets expanding or contracting in the Pacific region? If so, how do changes vary across countries at different stages of economic and social transition? And what might explain the observed trends and patterns in processed food and beverage markets in the Pacific? To answer these questions, we drew upon the results and further engaged with key literature on the food systems drivers of diets and nutrition, with reference to PacificIsland Countries (PICs) in particular
The findings of this study suggest that a processed food nutrition transition is well underway in the Pacific region, most prominently in Lower-middle income countries (L-MIC) and upper-middle income countries (U-MIC)
Summary
Unhealthy diets and poor nutrition are the leading contributors to the global burden of disease [1] Nowhere is this more so than in the Pacific region, where overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) exact a substantial social and economic toll. The picture is similar among the sizeable Pacific populations (i.e., diaspora) residing in the high-income countries of Australia, New Zealand and the United States (US) [5] Such extensive levels of diet-related ill-health both cause and exacerbate poverty, impeding regional economic and social development [6]. Carbonated soft drinks, baked goods, vegetable oils, processed meats, noodles and sweet biscuits made up the majority of sales in transitioning countries These observations are likely a result of income growth, urbanising populations, trade and globalisation, and various policies implemented by Pacific governments. Conclusions: A processed foods nutrition transition is well underway in the Pacific region and accelerating most prominently in lower-middle income countries
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