Policy Briefs & Summaries
Policy briefs
Policy briefs offer a concise summary of a particular issue, some policy options in order to respond to that challenge, some recommendations and sometimes identify some of the challenges and limitations that can be encountered. Policy briefs are not only aimed at policymakers but should be seen as a resource to anyone who is interested in formulating or influencing policies. Below you will find some policy briefs based on a wide range of topics.

Addressing childhood obesity across Europe: a review of a snapshot of diet and physical activity policies from the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom
This policy brief was produced by World Cancer Research Fund International, as part of the European Research project CO-CREATE, and reviews a snapshot of policies to show how five European countries are addressing childhood obesity through promoting healthy diets and physical activity.
Click here to read the full brief!
Using behavioural insights to influence children's diets
The global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity continues to rise. Many children live in obesogenic environments that encourage the consumption of energy-dense foods.
Policies informed by ‘behavioural insights’ have shown potential for improving children’s diets.
Usually, this approach is used in interventions to make subtle changes to the environment without actively restricting available options.
A new study conducted as part of the STOP project investigated the effectiveness of five such interventions. Learn more about some of the key findings of this research in our policy brief!
Click here to read the full brief!
Improving school food environments to prevent childhood obesity: what works?
The global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity continues to rise. With children spending a significant amount of time in schools, they can be a key setting to help us address obesity.
A new study conducted as part of the STOP project looked at interventions on environments in and around schools. Learn more about some of the key findings of the research in our policy brief!
Click here to read the full brief!
Impact of food reformulation on food choices, nutrient intakes and health status
Considering the high levels of processed food intake in Europe, reformulating food products to improve their nutritional properties can help create healthier food environments and reduce the impacts of diet-related health conditions, such as obesity.
A new study conducted as part of the STOP project looked at the impact of food reformulation. Learn more about some of the key findings of this research in our policy brief!
Click here to read the full brief!
Effectiveness of physical activity interventions to prevent obesity
Physical activity has been associated with improved physical and mental health in both adults and children. It has also been linked to improved cognitive and academic performance.
A new study conducted as part of the STOP project looked at the impact of interventions on physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Learn more about some of the key findings of this research in our policy brief!
Click here to read the full brief!
Socio-economic disparities in pre-adolescent obesity treatment
Overweight and obesity affects more than 25% of children in Europe. Children from population groups exposed to socio-economic vulnerabilities tend to be disproportionately affected by obesity.
A new study conducted as part of the STOP project looked at the effectiveness of treatment for children according to their socio‐economic and ethnic background. Learn more about some of the key findings of this research in our policy brief!
Click here to read the full brief!
CO-CREATE Youth Alliances' policy briefs - Poland
CO-CREATE aims to address obesity by focusing on adolescents, their perspectives and the factors that influence their health. CO-CREATE provides young people with the policy tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to make the healthiest choices.
By working together in groups, known as alliances, young people participating in the CO-CREATE project have developed policy ideas to address factors which influence adolescent obesity and health in their respective countries.
This brief summarises the policy ideas of CO-CREATE alliances in Poland and outlines the steps they took to finalise their proposals. This brief aims to inform relevant stakeholders, such as policy- and decision-makers, about policies
relevant for adolescents to tackle excess weight and obesity and to introduce a model on how to actively involve young people in the development of policies.
CO-CREATE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 774210.
Read Poland's policy briefs here!
CO-CREATE Youth Alliances' policy briefs - Norway
CO-CREATE aims to address obesity by focusing on adolescents, their perspectives and the factors that influence their health. CO-CREATE provides young people with the policy tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to make the healthiest choices.
By working together in groups, known as alliances, young people participating in the CO-CREATE project have developed policy ideas to address factors which influence adolescent obesity and health in their respective countries.
This brief summarises the policy ideas of CO-CREATE alliances in Norway and outlines the steps they took to finalise their proposals. This brief aims to inform relevant stakeholders, such as policy- and decision-makers, about policies
relevant for adolescents to tackle excess weight and obesity and to introduce a model on how to actively involve young people in the development of policies.
CO-CREATE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 774210.
Read Norway's policy briefs here!
CO-CREATE Youth Alliances' policy briefs - United Kingdom
CO-CREATE aims to address obesity by focusing on adolescents, their perspectives and the factors that influence their health. CO-CREATE provides young people with the policy tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to make the healthiest choices.
By working together in groups, known as alliances, young people participating in the CO-CREATE project have developed policy ideas to address factors which influence adolescent obesity and health in their respective countries.
This brief summarises the policy ideas of CO-CREATE alliances in the United Kingdom and outlines the steps they took to finalise their proposals. This brief aims to inform relevant stakeholders, such as policy- and decision-makers, about policies relevant for adolescents to tackle excess weight and obesity and to introduce a model on how to actively involve young people in the development of policies.
CO-CREATE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 774210.
Read the United Kingdom's briefs here!
CO-CREATE Youth Alliances' policy briefs - the Netherlands
CO-CREATE aims to address obesity by focusing on adolescents, their perspectives and the factors that influence their health. CO-CREATE provides young people with the policy tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to make the healthiest choices.
By working together in groups, known as alliances, young people participating in the CO-CREATE project have developed policy ideas to address factors which influence adolescent obesity and health in their respective countries.
This brief summarises the policy ideas of CO-CREATE alliances in the Netherlands and outlines the steps they took to finalise their proposals. This brief aims to
inform relevant stakeholders, such as policy- and decision-makers, about policies relevant for adolescents to tackle excess weight and obesity and to introduce a model on how to actively involve young people in the development of policies.
CO-CREATE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 774210.
Read the Netherlands' briefs here!
CO-CREATE Youth Alliances' policy briefs - Portugal
CO-CREATE aims to address obesity by focusing on adolescents, their perspectives and the factors that influence their health. CO-CREATE provides young people with the policy tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to make the healthiest choices.
By working together in groups, known as alliances, young people participating in the CO-CREATE project have developed policy ideas to address factors which influence adolescent obesity and health in their respective countries.
This brief summarises the policy ideas of CO-CREATE alliances in Portugal and outlines the steps they took to finalise their proposals. This brief aims to inform relevant stakeholders, such as policy- and decision-makers, about policies
relevant for adolescents to tackle excess weight and obesity and to introduce a model on how to actively involve young people in the development of policies.
CO-CREATE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 774210.
Read Portugal's briefs here!Policy Summaries
The policies presented below were developed by governments, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders around the world. With your help, some of these policies have the potential to put the topic of obesity high on the political agenda. Given the need to develop policies with youth for youth, we are interested in hearing your views on these policies. Interested in learning more about these policies? Click on the links to access the full policy text. Let us know whether you approve or disapprove with their core concepts by voting on them!