Gender perspective in research and advocacy publications related to child-focused food environment policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

@article{lopez2026gender,
  title = {{Gender perspective in research and advocacy publications related to child-focused food environment policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.}},
  author = {María Victoria López and Natalia Elorriaga and Maribel Pardón and Omayra Mendoza Quispe and Tomas Adoue and Ana Soledad Cavallo and Alejandra Ortega Guzmán and Vilma Irazola},
  journal = {BMC public health},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28641-1},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009889},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Gender perspective in research and advocacy publications related to child-focused food environment policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
AU  - María Victoria López
AU  - Natalia Elorriaga
AU  - Maribel Pardón
AU  - Omayra Mendoza Quispe
AU  - Tomas Adoue
AU  - Ana Soledad Cavallo
AU  - Alejandra Ortega Guzmán
AU  - Vilma Irazola
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/27
JO  - BMC public health
DO  - 10.1186/s12889-026-28641-1
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009889
AB  - Background  Integrating a gender perspective into food system policies is essential to ensure equity, effectiveness, and sustainability. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the incorporation of a gender perspective into research and policy advocacy remains limited and understudied. This study aimed to assess the incorporation of a gender perspective in research and advocacy publications on two priority food system policies in LAC: front-of-package food labeling and restrictions on advertising directed at children, and to compile expert-based considerations to strengthen the integration of a gender perspective in these areas.Methods  A mixed-method study was conducted. First, a literature review was carried out on publications related to front-of-package food labeling policies and advertising directed at children in LAC. The Gender Sensitivity Assessment Tool for Research and Policy Advocacy Projects was then applied to assess the incorporation of a gender perspective in these documents. Documents were classified as either incorporating or not incorporating a gender perspective. Subsequently, a consultation meeting was conducted with experts in gender, nutrition, food systems, public health, and social sciences to identify recommendations for strengthening gender integration in food policy research and advocacy.Results  A total of 154 documents on front-of-package labeling and 115 on marketing to children were identified. For front-of-package labeling, 64.3% of documents incorporated a gender perspective, whereas 35.7% did not. Nearly all studies on policy acceptance incorporated gender considerations. In the case of marketing aimed at children, 47% of documents incorporated a gender perspective. Studies on monitoring and compliance showed the highest proportion of documents incorporating a gender perspective (67%). The expert consultation highlighted the importance of sex-disaggregated data, methodological reflexivity, balanced representation, transparent reporting of limitations, and the consideration of gender throughout the policy cycle, including implementation, monitoring, communication, and impact evaluation.Conclusions  The findings highlight important opportunities to strengthen the integration of a gender perspective into food systems research, advocacy, and policy development in LAC. Although progress has been made, important gaps remain, particularly in food marketing research. Targeted strategies, methodological guidance, and capacity-building initiatives may contribute to more equitable, effective, and gender-responsive food and nutrition policies across the region.
SN  - 1471-2458
ER  -