Affiliations 

  • 1 Early Start, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
  • 2 Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
  • 3 School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 2 Morrin Road, Auckland, 1072, New Zealand
  • 4 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor's University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 6 Dietetics Programme, School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. tilly_karu@yahoo.co.uk
Global Health, 2020 04 17;16(1):35.
PMID: 32303243 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00560-9

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the commitments of food companies in Malaysia to improving population nutrition using the Business Impact Assessment on population nutrition and obesity (BIA-Obesity) tool and process, and proposing recommendations for industry action in line with government priorities and international norms.

METHODS: BIA-Obesity good practice indicators for food industry commitments across a range of domains (n = 6) were adapted to the Malaysian context. Euromonitor market share data was used to identify major food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers (n = 22), quick service restaurants (5), and retailers (6) for inclusion in the assessment. Evidence of commitments, including from national and international entities, were compiled from publicly available information for each company published between 2014 and 2017. Companies were invited to review their gathered evidence and provide further information wherever available. A qualified Expert Panel (≥5 members for each domain) assessed commitments and disclosures collected against the BIA-Obesity scoring criteria. Weighted scores across domains were added and the derived percentage was used to rank companies. A Review Panel, comprising of the Expert Panel and additional government officials (n = 13), then formulated recommendations.

RESULTS: Of the 33 selected companies, 6 participating companies agreed to provide more information. The median overall BIA-Obesity score was 11% across food industry sectors with only 8/33 companies achieving a score of > 25%. Participating (p 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.