Assessment of food industry policies and practices to create healthy food environments for preventing obesity and diet‐related noncommunicable diseases in Thailand

In today’s light, dealing with challenges in present epidemiological, economic, technological and social changes for obesity and diet‐related NCD prevention in Thailand is a critical, but difficult task. Private‐sector organizations play a critical role in shaping food environments of individuals and populations to reduce obesity and diet‐related NCDs. It is important for the Thai Government to establish and strengthen country monitoring and evaluation system in assessing performance of private sector especially food industry whether it uses all available strategies to support public health efforts to create healthier food systems. This system should also include the monitoring of commercial activities (e.g. political lobbying, political donations, corporate philanthropy and funds allocated to research and academic groups) used to influence food policy and action. Thailand still lacked clear evidence on how much effort the food industry had made in supporting creation of healthier food environments and its influence on obesity and diet‐related NCD prevention in Thailand. This project helped fill this evidence gap by offering information for policy makers and relevant stakeholders to inform available food industry policies and practices related to food environments, including corporate political activity (CPA) used to influence food and nutrition policy in Thailand.