| Canada needs to consider innovative approaches to nutrition policy as increasing rates of obesity have been linked to population health problems and negative economic and environmental effects on society.;The results suggest that nutrition policy goals and related instrument choices can be categorized into four stages: 1867--1939, 1940--1979, 1980--2000 and 2001--present. The definition of food and nutrition problems varied historically between individual and societal failure consistent with shifts in public policy between welfare and neoclassical liberalism. Currently, nutrition policy instruments are biased towards neoclassical liberalism. The hypothesis, that consideration of more coercive policy instruments suggest a shift in the context for decisions related to nutrition policy was supported.;The history of Canadian nutrition policy from 1867 to 2006 was documented through descriptive historical research. Use of neopluralism and mainstream policy assumptions assisted in a phased analysis of structures and theories related to policy development, policy communities and instrument choice. |
