Objectives: Despite the importance of food environments in shaping dietary behaviors and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, no standardized and validated method has been used to assess this policy domain in China. This study aimed to benchmark China’s food retail policies against international benchmarking to identify implementation gaps and propose evidence-based strategies for improving food environments. Methods: Using the standardized and validated Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), we assessed four food retail indicators: restrictive zoning for fast-food outlets (RETAIL 1), healthy food accessibility (RETAIL 2), institutional support systems (RETAIL 3), and food service promotion (RETAIL 4). A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 13) from academia, public health, and industry conducted structured assessments using a standardized scoring tool (1–5). Scores were converted to implementation percentages and categorized into four levels. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and mean ± SD) were summarized. Results: Sixteen food retail policies were analyzed, with 62.5% (n = 10) of provincial policies focusing on fast-food zoning and healthy food access, and 37.5% (n = 6) of national policies targeting government support and healthy food promotion. Regulations comprised 55% (n = 11), mainly addressing zoning and access, while guidelines accounted for 45% (n = 9), primarily promotional. Overall, the food retail domain was rated as low level (2.3 ± 1.1, 45.8% implementation). Among the four indicators, healthy food access in outlets (2.6 ± 1.3, 52.4%) and promotion of healthy food in services (2.5 ± 1.0, 50.8%) were at medium implementation levels. In contrast, local fast-food zoning restrictions (1.7 ± 0.6, 33.8%) and government support for healthy food (2.3 ± 1.1, 46.2%) remained at low levels. Conclusions: China’s food retail policies showed inconsistent implementation levels, with strong provincial execution in accessibility and promotion but weak national coordination in zoning and support systems. To align with the WHO and China’s goals, priorities are unified national frameworks, enforceable standards, equity-focused monitoring, and strengthened multi-sector collaboration.

Objective: Addressing the increasing global health issue of childhood obesity, exacerbated by pervasive food marketing, this study critically evaluated China’s food marketing policies in comparison with international best practices, aiming to uncover policy content and implementation gaps and inform policy enhancement strategies. Method: Three key indicators were utilized from the Healthy Food–Environment Policy Index (Food–EPI)’s food promotion domain. A panel of experts (n = 13) from academic institutions, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the food industry assessed the Chinese government’s policy scores and implementation levels concerning food marketing. Benchmarked against international best practices using the Food–EPI process, this evaluation encompassed context analysis, data collection, evidence-based policy action, government validation, policy rating, scoring, and results translation for government and stakeholders. The three chosen indicators specifically addressed childhood overweight- and obesity-related food marketing in broadcast media (Indicator 1), non-broadcast media (Indicator 2), and child gathering settings (Indicator 3). Results: Specifically, Indicator 1, the Single Food Marketing Indicator Score was measured at 2.31 ± 0.38, with an accompanying Food Marketing Policy Implementation Percentage of 46.2%, and Low Implementation Level. For non-broadcast mediums (Indicator 2), these metrics were gauged at 1.77 ± 0.27, 35.4%, and Low Implementation Level, respectively. In child gathering settings (Indicator 3), for efforts curbing unhealthy food promotion, a score of 2.77 ± 0.27, an implementation percentage of 55.4%, and Medium Implementation Level was obtained. Cumulatively, the overarching efficacy of food marketing policy enforcement was determined to be suboptimal, with the consolidated figures being Total Food Marketing Score as 2.28 ± 0.97, Total Food Marketing Policy Implementation Percentage as 45.6%, and Total Food Marketing Policy Implementation Level as Low. Conclusion: Like many countries, China’s food marketing policies and implementation have room for improvement when compared to international best practices. Recommendations include emphasizing nutritional legislation, fostering stakeholder collaboration, bolstering public health campaigns, and leveraging technology for stringent enforcement.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the home food environment of the elderly in Beijing and analyze its association with the body mass index (BMI) of the elderly, as well as to provide recommendations for improving the home food environment for the elderly. Methods: This study was conducted in Beijing, China, in 2019. The participants were 1764 elderly individuals aged 65 to 80, recruited from 12 communities through a multistage stratified random sampling method. The study involved the use of questionnaire surveys to gather data on participants’ demographics, the availability of various foods in their households, and their living conditions. Socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated based on their educational level, occupation, and income level. Height and weight measurements were taken to calculate BMI. We conducted both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between the home food environment and BMI. Results: A total of 1800 questionnaires were distributed, of which 1775 were retrieved, resulting in a questionnaire recovery rate of 98.6%. Among these, 1764 questionnaires were deemed valid, corresponding to a questionnaire validity rate of 99.4%. The participants had a mean age of 69.7 ± 4.3 years old, over 40% of whom were overweight or obese. In terms of low-energy/high-nutrient-density foods, the most readily available items were fresh vegetables (95.6%), followed by coarse grains (94.1%), fresh fruits (90.4%), and dairy products (83.6%). Among high-energy/low-nutrient-density foods, preserved foods were the most available (51.9%), followed by salted snacks (40.6%), sugary beverages (28.2%), and fried foods (9.4%). Approximately 7.3% of participants lived alone. Elderly individuals with higher SES had a lower BMI compared to those with medium to low SES (25.9 vs. 26.5, 25.9 vs. 26.4, p < 0.05). Those living alone had a higher BMI than those who did not (27.2 vs. 26.2, p = 0.001). After controlling for potential confounding variables, older adults with high SES exhibited a BMI reduction of 0.356 kg/m² (p = 0.001), whereas those living alone exhibited an increase in BMI of 1.155 kg/m² (p < 0.001). The presence of preserved foods at home was linked to a BMI increase of 0.442 kg/m² (p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study underscores the significant impact of family SES, living conditions, and the availability of preserved foods on the BMI of elderly individuals.