Sustainable Diets Working Group

The Sustainable Diets Working Group (2016-2017) aimed to generate innovative methods and metrics for use in sustainable diets research and policy development through interdisciplinary research. It convened a group of experts in agriculture, environmental or physical science, nutrition and/or health research, with a particular focus on methods and metrics in sustainable diets.

The group developed a live social game, "Diet Dimensions". Games are an effective way to engage people in research and provide an informal environment for creative thinking. Live multi-player games can also be a great way for participants to make new connections across institutions and disciplines. “Diet Dimensions” is a novel method to engage researchers, policymakers and key stakeholders to generate and inform policies for healthier and more sustainable food systems as well as critically engaging with issues such as measurement and implementation.

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“Diet Dimensions”: a case study on a sustainable diets policy game

Diet Dimensions social game: Learn how to play

    Engagement with policy and practice

At the December 2017 Global Gathering in Côte d'Ivoire, Edward Joy was invited to help arrange an innovative workshop which aimed to stimulate novel ideas for improving national nutrition strategies. Together with Patrizia Fracassi of the SUN Movement secretariat, Edward adapted Diet Dimensions for attendees. The new version of the game was designed to help country teams develop their National Nutrition Strategies, and Patrizia ran a successful test session at a SAFANSI Regional meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal in September 2018. Read more about the event here:

Playing games in Côte d'Ivoire: The SUN Global Gathering

    Uptake by researchers

The group delivered a learning lab at ANH2017 where participants took part in the Diet Dimensions game:

Sustainable Diets Learning Lab presentation at ANH2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal

The game “Diet Dimensions” is a work in progress, informed and modified between each play session. The materials needed to set up a session are free to use through our website. We welcome any comments and suggestions and are happy for the game to be used to further research and policy around sustainable diets. If you would like to play the game at a conference or similar forum, we would appreciate it if you get in touch to help us capture our impact and keep improving the game ([email protected]). Compiling observations from cumulative simulation games among different stakeholders is invaluable for informing the ANH Academy’s ongoing research.