A Delphi study for exploring nutritional policy priorities to reduce prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: Identifying and prioritizing the most appropriate policies for enhancing nutritional habits are vital for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study was conducted to prioritize the nutritional policies in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional survey applying the two-round Delphi technique was used to prioritize policy options in preventing the burden of NCDs. In the first round, the experts in health and nutrition policy were asked to prioritize 21 policy options on a 5-point Likert scale. After analyzing the first-round questionnaire, the highest mean and lowest dispersion index were calculated as an indicator of high-priority options. In the second round, the policy options suggested by the participants were added to the second-round questionnaire. Finally, the questionnaires were sent to all the participants in case they desired to change their opinions. Results: The expert achieved consensus on "principles of healthy eating" courses in the curriculum of students as a high-priority policy option. In this regard, "promoting community education and customizing healthy food choice" was the next high priority policy option. On the other hand, the lowest policy priority option was "sending free/low-price healthy drinks at home". The three high priority policy categories were reformulating the content of food, enhancing the consumers’ knowledge, and food labeling, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings showed that reformulation, food promotion, and food labeling had the highest priorities for preventing NCDs in Iran. Although food provision policies were cost effective in developing countries such as Iran, it is essential to provide sub-structures for the reformulation of food products.