KAMPALA: In Uganda, rising concerns about the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among children have drawn significant attention. This alarming health trend is primarily linked to the unregulated consumption of fast foods and unhealthy diets that are high in calories but low in essential nutrients. This correlation is highlighted in a research report published by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC). The report, titled “Restriction on Child-Directed Marketing and Front-of-Pack Labelling in Uganda: A Legal and Political Feasibility to Creating a Healthy Food Environment,” was authored by Blessing Atwine, Mary Kajumba, Tonny Odokonyero, and Madina M. Guloba.
The research underscores that Uganda’s situation is exacerbated by unchecked food advertisements and marketing targeting children, disseminated through various media such as radio, billboards, social media, and television. “Unhealthy diets have been linked to exposure to unhealthy food advertising, especially among children in uganda, as this ultimately increases their demand to consume poor nutrient foods,” the report states. Furthermore, the study found that unhealthy food and beverage marketing increases dietary intake and influences dietary preferences in children during or shortly after exposure to advertisements.
To evaluate the feasibility of introducing and implementing measures to curb child-targeted marketing and front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling interventions to combat obesity and nutrition-related NCDs in Uganda, the study employed several frameworks. These include the Health Policy Triangle developed by Walt and Gilson (1994), the Kingdon policy streams, and FELIP frameworks, as well as the stakeholder analysis framework by Brugha and Varvasovszky (2002).
The findings of the study reveal that, despite obstacles, it is legally and politically feasible to adopt both marketing restrictions and FOP labeling interventions. The research identified key systems and institutions, such as the Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Health, as crucial players in the formulation and execution of these interventions. However, achieving these goals will require enhancing existing laws and frameworks to encompass the specific objectives of these interventions.
“Proper food labels compel consumers to understand the nutritional quality and ultimately encourage the selection and purchase of healthier food while promoting reformulation by industry,” the research notes, emphasizing the link between inadequate FOP labels and the rising incidence of diet-related NCDs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made recommendations based on significant evidence that child-directed marketing impacts children’s attitudes, preferences, and eating practices, and poor FOP nutrition labels negatively affect diets. The WHO advises governments to ensure healthier food environments by restricting the marketing of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods and beverages to children and implementing effective FOP nutrition labels.
Uganda has seen a steady increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over the past decade, particularly among women of reproductive age and children under five. According to the research, childhood obesity rates are partly due to limited physical activity, excessive sugar consumption, ultra-processed foods, and unregulated food advertisements promoting obesogenic diets. Studies have indicated a high prevalence of obesity (32.3 percent) and overweight (21.7 percent) among school children aged 3-16, with higher rates in private schools compared to public schools.
The increasing availability and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and unhealthy foods in Uganda further contribute to this issue. For instance, from 2011 to 2012, three new soft drink companies entered the market, which was previously dominated by Century Bottling Company and Crown Beverages. The largest and fastest-growing category of non-alcoholic beverages, carbonated soft drinks, saw a 12.4% rise in sales from 2015 to 2018 and is expected to continue growing at an annual rate of 10.9% from 2019 to 2022.
The transition of Uganda’s food system from rural, informal, and small-scale sellers to increased urbanization with regional supermarkets and fast-food chains underscores the need for legal and regulatory actions to manage these transitions for a healthier population. While Uganda has national NCD prevention strategies that recognize NCDs as a pressing health concern, gaps remain in policy implementation.
The WHO recommends adopting interventions through legal or regulatory instruments, such as increased taxation, restriction on child-directed marketing of unhealthy diets, and proper FOP nutrition labels. The EPRC’s research aims to bridge the evidence gap by identifying influential actors in creating healthy food environments, assessing the political and legal feasibility of adopting marketing restrictions and FOP labeling, and identifying facilitators and barriers to implementing these interventions.
As Uganda grapples with rising NCDs among children, this research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies and regulatory measures to promote healthier food environments and curb the growing health crisis.
