Changes in Children’s Adherence to Sustainable Healthy Diets During the Implementation of Chile’s Food Labelling and Advertising Law: A Longitudinal Study (2016–2019)

This longitudinal study tracked 698 Chilean children (aged 3–6) from 2016 to 2019 to assess changes in adherence to sustainable healthy diets during implementation of Chile’s Food Labelling and Advertising Law. Using the Planetary Health Diet Index for Children (PHDI-C), the study found a significant decline in overall adherence, with total scores dropping from 50.1 in 2016 to 46.1 in 2019. Intake of fruits, legumes, dark green vegetables, and vegetable oils declined, while red meats and animal fats increased. Only added sugar intake improved, likely influenced by the law. The study concludes that while the law reduced unhealthy food consumption, it may not have led to broader improvements in dietary sustainability.

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