Table 1 Subsystem 1 regarding the food environment: mechanisms, leverage points and action ideas

(M1) Power dynamics in the current food system

In the current food subsystem, a power imbalance exists between large global food companies and smaller local companies. This imbalance results from the large profits made by global food companies on unhealthy food sales, which are more profitable than healthier options. These profits can in turn be further invested in, for example, marketing and lobbying, thereby further boosting the demand for unhealthy food

Smaller local companies, which may offer healthier food, can therefore hardly compete against the economic and political power of these large food companies

(LP1) Supermarkets and schools take joint responsibility for the role they play in shaping adolescents’ food environment

2 – Goals

(A1) GMB workshops with food retailers and/or schools

Group model building sessions with food retailers and/or schools

Supermarkets do not generally feel that adolescents’ eating behaviour is also their responsibility. By coming together to discuss the role they play in shaping the local food environment of adolescents, supermarkets will own their responsibility in shaping adolescents’ food environment and will be encouraged to come up with actions that limit their unhealthy food supply

Supermarkets; schools

(LP2) Policies that increase and support the availability and accessibility of healthy food

2 – Goals

(A2) Exposing retails tactics and lack of action in obesity prevention

Interviews with supermarket managers and marketing experts with the aim of understanding their operating space to become healthier

Many local interventions have tried to make supermarkets a healthier environment for adolescents. Most of these interventions have, however, only show limited impact, and if successful, are terminated because they result in profit losses. By synthesizing evidence about the lack of impact of these local interventions, we hope to build an evidence base that shows the need for policy intervention rather than self-regulation

Supermarkets

(A3) Developing an active lobbying initiative between academia and policy practice

Monthly meetings between LIKE researchers and the municipality to discuss and plan strategies that influence the local and national food policies

Meetings between academia and policy provides insights into each other’s worlds and helps in gaining lobbying power towards national policy. For example, local Amsterdam policymakers know where in the policy cycle national health policies are, and can come up with a strategic plan based on local evidence that we can generate to influence this policy process

N.A.

(A4) Entrepreneur network

Monthly meetings between LIKE researchers and the manager of the municipality’s entrepreneur network to exchange knowledge

Many small entrepreneurs in Amsterdam East sell healthy food but are forced to also offer unhealthy food to keep financially afloat. This is because selling unhealthy food is much more lucrative. If local entrepreneurs can be structurally better supported in offering healthier food, they can counterbalance the power of larger food companies such as supermarkets and fast food chains. This could be achieved through, for example, policy changes that help increase the supply and accessibility of healthy food

N.A.