Prevention/Control of Childhood Obesity and Chronic Disease
Summary
In 2006, the World Health Organization committed to work with an Eastern Mediterranean or African country to implement a comprehensive strategy to stop the increase in childhood obesity and consequent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The five-year goal of this project was to see a significant reduction in childhood obesity trends and the indicators of chronic disease, and an increased national capacity for prevention and control of childhood obesity and chronic diseases. This would require that whole populations, people from all socioeconomic levels of society, have access to affordable healthy diets and safe physical activity that is encouraged by all authorities in society.
As of August 2007, the WHO had established a national multi-sectoral coordinating committee to address childhood obesity and built national capacity in developing countries to plan and implement national responses to address childhood obesity.
Approach
The five-year goal of this project will be to see a significant reduction in childhood obesity trends and the indicators of chronic disease, and an increased national capacity for prevention and control of childhood obesity and chronic diseases. This will require that whole populations, people from all socioeconomic levels of society, have access to affordable healthy diets and safe physical activity that is encouraged by all authorities in society.
Background
The epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases seen in high-income countries are quickly spreading in low- and middle-income countries. The problem is urgent:
– At least 20 million children under the age of 5 years are already overweight.
– Trends in overweight among children under five for all developing countries seem to be increasing at a far greater rate (58% increase) than in the developing world as a whole (17% increase).
– Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of premature death and disability in adulthood.
– Global increases in overweight and obesity are attributable to widespread trends, such as shift in diet; decreased physical activity; and fetal and infant under nutrition.
It is vital that the increasing importance of childhood obesity and consequent chronic disease be anticipated, understood and acted upon urgently. This requires a new approach by national leaders who are in a position to strengthen childhood obesity prevention and control efforts.