The role of advocates in state-level competitive food legislation formation: A comparative case study
Item
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Title
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The role of advocates in state-level competitive food legislation formation: A comparative case study
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:88dde0e15792:11495
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identifier
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11974
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Creator
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Dinour, Lauren,
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Contributor
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Nicholas Freudenberg | Arlene Spark
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Date
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2012
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Public health | Public policy | Nutrition | case study | childhood obesity | interest group | school food | state policy
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Abstract
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In the absence of strong federal oversight over competitive foods---those items available in school vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores, and fundraisers---many states have enacted legislation to limit the availability and accessibility of unhealthy competitive foods. Evaluations of these policies show their promise in improving the healthfulness of school food environments, considered an important strategy for reducing childhood obesity. Yet little is known about the decision-making processes by which such legislation is formed and adopted.;Using a comparative case study design, this study describes and analyzes how and why state-level competitive food legislation adopted in 2010 changed during the legislative process, as well as identifies and characterizes the primary stakeholders in support and opposition of these bills and their relative effectiveness in influencing bill language and content. Five retrospective case studies were conducted, analyzed, and written independently using a standard protocol. Primary data from semi-structured key informant interviews were complemented with secondary data obtained through document review. Upon completion of the individual case studies, comprehensive summary tables were compiled and analyzed for recurring and unique themes, enabling conclusions to be drawn across cases.;Cross-case analysis yielded 10 key findings related to the dynamics of the legislative process and the roles played by various stakeholders. Of note, fiscal concerns regarding increased expenditures---but not lost revenues---are influential in the weakening of bill language and content. In addition, strong support from a large and diverse coalition may increase political influence, yet lead to weakened bill language in efforts to appease multiple interests. Examination of decision-making constructs revealed that advocates situated in highly cohesive and minimally constrained policy subsystems are more effective at influencing bill language and content than advocates in less cohesive and highly constrained policy subsystems. Likewise, advocates situated in coalitions characterized by high lobbying activity are not necessarily more effective in influencing bill language and content than advocates in coalitions with low lobbying activity. These and other findings can assist advocates, policymakers, and researchers in identifying potential strategies, barriers, collaborators, and opponents when seeking to create more healthful school food environments within their state.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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D.P.H.
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Program
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Public Health
