This document summarizes a research translation study that aimed to translate findings from a participatory food environment project into urban food policy recommendations. The study involved 24 community members in Madrid who took photos related to their local food environment and identified barriers and opportunities for healthy eating. The findings were translated into 11 policy recommendations in areas like improving access to healthy foods, promoting local retailers, and offering community activities. The recommendations were disseminated to policymakers and the community through various channels, and next steps include developing a policy report and scientific papers on the study.

1. María Urtasun, María Sandín, Paloma Conde,
Julia Díez and Manuel Franco
Research translation into food
policy recommendations using
Photovoice: a novel experience of
citizen science in Madrid.
Photovoice is a project co-funded by

2. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation into
food policy recommendations
This research translation study was part of the Heart Healthy
Hoods Photovoice project (http://hhhproject.eu/photovoice/project/ )
Overarching Goal:
To translate research findings to foster policy change to
improve the food environment of a deprived area of Madrid.
Specific aim:
To translate the findings of a food environment participatory
research project into urban food policy recommendations.

3. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Process: overview

4. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Photovoice Villaverde: steps 1,2,3
Setting Two neighborhoods of a low-income
area in Madrid (Spain).
Participants
- 24 adult men and women living in the study
area.
- Co-facilitators (academic- researchers and
health promotion practicioners).
Procedure.
- Participants took pictures of features
related to their local food environment.
- During 5 group meetings, they analyzed
their photographs identifying barriers and
opportunities for healthy eating.
Findings:
- 163 pictures 32 emergent categories.

5. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 4
Participants and co-facilitators met twice to translate these findings into policy
recommendations aiming to improve the local food environment.

6. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 4
Methods:
1. Conducting a problems and objectives analysis, using an adapted logical
framework approach.
2. Identifying root and causes of both :
a) positive environment features to be encouraged
b) negative environment characteristics to be addressed/changed.
Problem/cause:
Roots:
Shortage of food retailers
Insufficient access to variety of
food with suitable quality and price
Low competition between
businesses higher prices
Low quality food supply

7. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 4
Methods:
3. To turn identified problems on solutions/objectives to be achieved.
Promoting small food retailers
Insufficient access to variety of
food with suitable quality and price
4. Prioritization process taking into account:
a) Time (score: 1-5)
b) Impact (score: 1-5)
c) Feasibility (score: 1-5)
d) Cost (score: 1-5)

8. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 4
Results: 11 food environment recommendations were selected and ranked.
Classification regarding food environment framework:
Determinants of diet Recommendations (ranking)
Macro level determinants of diet:
(public policies, culture and norms or
marketing).
- Offering local leisure time activities to avoid unhealthier options as
snacking and drinking alcohol and sodas (1)
- Improving nutrition labels (7)
- Promoting healthy social networks for older people (10)
- Giving street vendors legal status (11).
Organizational food environment:
(work, schools, food banks)
- Improving food banks management (2)
- Reducing food waste (6)
- Healthier alternatives to workplace vending machines (8)
- Importance of food education in schools (9).
Community food environment and
Consumer food environment:
(access, availability,
accessibility,affordability, acceptability)
- Reactivating traditional market and small retailers (3)
- Improving food hygiene conditions (4)
- Promoting the availability of organic and foods for people with
special needs (e.g. diabetes and celiac disease) (5).

9. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 5
Dissemination strategy: to keep community,
participants and policy makers aware and
involved.
a) Study website hhhproject.eu/photovoice
which includes an interactive
cartographical application.
b) Colored photobook featuring 31 selected
photographs and corresponding narratives
c) Photographic exhibition, with the exhibit
touring to attract diverse audiences.
d) Video explaining the study design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzECc
bE7OV8.
e) Appearances in local and national mass
media, including press and radio.
f) Scientific dissemination.

10. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 6
Advocacy and dissemination: to inform and involved community, social
organizations and policy makers.
We held an open citizen science meeting in December 2015:
Participants reported to local policymakers their findings and
suggested their 11 policy and environmental recommendations for
improving their local food environment.

11. http://hhhproject.eu/phtotovoice
Research translation process: step 6
Next steps:
- Writting a urban food policy recommendations report to
policy makers (ongoing).
- Writting at least 5 scientific papers (ongoing).
- Planing exhibit touring to attract and increase the
awareness of diverse audiences. (ongoing)
- Reinforce the partnership (multidisciplinary researchers,
community, health promotion practitioners and policy
makers of the City Hall of Madrid)