Supporting healthy, sustainable diets

A new research hub that aims to design and evaluate new food policies to support healthy, sustainable diets across the UK has been established.

The THRIVING Food Futures project is being led by the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS) at the University of Oxford, and it also involves principal investigators Professor Christina Vogel and Dr Christian Reynolds from the Centre for Food Policy at City St George’s, University of London.

The initiative aims to help the country meet its legal Net Zero targets through enabling sustainable diets, which can also address public health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and health inequalities.

Other institutions involved in the hub include the University of Cambridge, the University of Warwick, Queen Mary, University of London, and the University of Strathclyde, as well as the organisation Sustain.

Planet-friendly diets

The food we eat is responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and, without significant change to our diets, the UK cannot meet its climate commitments. Encouragingly, diets that are good for the planet, such as those rich in fruit, vegetables, and cereals and low in red and processed meat, are also beneficial for health. However, progress towards policy change has been stalled by two key areas: a perceived lack of public support and a lack of real-world evidence about the effectiveness of potential policies.

THRIVING Food Futures aims to overcome these challenges by working with various stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society groups. The project will focus on designing policies that can transform the food system to support healthy, sustainable diets for all. Public engagement is central to this mission, and community panels will ensure that a diverse range of public perspectives are considered throughout the research process.

Driving change

THRIVING will drive change in several ways:

Policy options: The team will conduct a comprehensive review of international food policies, alongside input from policymakers and industry experts, to develop and prioritise a range of options that could support healthier, more sustainable diets.

Public support: In five locations across the UK, citizen juries will help the researchers gauge which of the proposed policies are most acceptable to the public, ensuring that any changes reflect the values and preferences of the wider population.

Food profiling model: A Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model will be developed to categorise foods based on their nutritional content and environmental impact. This model will guide policy decisions by identifying which foods are both unhealthy and unsustainable.

Digital Policy Trials: The team will create novel digital tools, such as smartphone apps, to simulate real-world shopping environments. These tools will allow for large-scale testing of the proposed policies without relying on industry partnerships. The trials will measure how these policies impact food choices and sustainability.

Professor Christina Vogel, Director of the Centre for Food Policy, said:

“Evidenced based policy options that are supported and prioritised by the public are needed to reshape our food systems so that everyone can eat a diet that is healthy and sustainable. This new hub will help this transition by bringing together policymakers and the public to consider acceptable policy options.”

Professor Pete Scarborough, project lead and Professor of Population Health at NDPCHS, said:

“The THRIVING Food Futures research hub is a great opportunity to reshape the UK’s food system in a way that benefits both our health and the environment. By working closely with policymakers and the public, we will create evidence-based solutions that are not only effective but also widely accepted and viable. If implemented, these policies can contribute to a healthier population and a healthier planet.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said:

“Climate change is a major threat to public health, both now and for future generations. These high-impact research hubs will contribute to protecting people’s health against the impact of climate change, realising the health benefits of a net zero transition and reducing health inequalities."

Professor Louise Heathwaite, UKRI Building a Green Future Lead and Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council, said:

“The UK’s net zero transition presents a huge opportunity to challenge, review and improve many aspects of societal resilience to create a sustainable environment and healthier, happier population. It is vital that we seize this chance for positive change. We are excited by the potential of the hubs and look forward to seeing their findings inform successful, ambitious net zero policies with public health at their heart.”

This ambitious project is part of a new wave of transdisciplinary research hubs funded by UKRI and NIHR, designed to support transformative change. The THRIVING Food Futures project will not only provide valuable real-world evidence but also develop tools and policy maps that can be used beyond the life of the project.

For more information about the project and its goals, please visit the THRIVING Food Futures webpage.