Exploring power and influence in nutrition policy in Australia

What is it about?

Social network analysis techniques are used to provide insight into who makes up the nutrition policy network in Australia and how much influence they have. In particular, there is a clear demonstration of the food industry's capacity to influence nutrition policymaking networks in Australia.

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Why is it important?

This is the first study internationally to demonstrate via a network analysis the influence the food industry has in nutrition policy in Australia. This was present both strategically in overall network position and with respect to the number of direct access points to ‘decision makers’, whereas ‘nutrition professionals’ were densely clustered together with limited links to key ‘decision makers’. The results demonstrate that the food industry holds the strategic high ground in advocating their interests to policymakers in the contexts studied.