IPS Researchers Share Insights at ISFE 2025 in Malaysia

The International Symposium on Food Environment for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition 2025 (ISFE 2025) convened a diverse group of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and industry representatives to explore the theme “Transcending Disciplines and Sectoral Boundaries to Create Sustainable and Healthy Food Environments.”

Dr Nisha Arunatilake, Director of Research at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), and Sunimalee Madurawala, a Research Economist at IPS, contributed to key sessions at this symposium.

Dr Arunatilake presented strategies to mobilise stakeholders for policy and advocacy in transforming food environments. She drew from IPS’s learnings on tobacco control to present these strategies at the session titled “Bridging Science, Policy and Consumer Plates: Transforming Food Environments.” Her presentation highlighted the complexities of policy advocacy and the need for coordinated efforts to drive meaningful change. “Stakeholder engagement in shaping healthier food environments across Asia is essential,” Dr Arunatilake emphasised.

Sunimalee Madurawala discussed the importance of strengthening public health policies and regulatory frameworks to create healthier food environments for children of Sri Lanka. “Robust policy frameworks must be effectively implemented and protected from industry interference to ensure healthier outcomes for children,” Madurawala explained during the ISFE session, “Transdisciplinary Approaches and Methods in Food Environment Research – Working Across Disciplinary and Sectoral Boundaries.”

Madurawala also showcased a poster by IPS Research Officer, Suresh Ranasinghe, titled “Crisis, Diet, and Inequality: Examining Food Environment Disruptions in Urban Underserved Settlements in Sri Lanka.” This poster explored the intersection of socioeconomic challenges and dietary health in vulnerable communities.

ISFE 2025 drew participation of over 80 key stakeholders from Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, marking an important step towards building an interdisciplinary community of researchers from transitioning economies who are committed to shaping healthy and sustainable food systems.