Childhood obesity: what is WHO’s actions?
The World Health Organization has recently addressed the issue of childhood obesity. It then issued a report in 2016 highlighting alarming data(1). Given the scale of the phenomenon, it was decided to implement a series of actions aimed at reducing obesity among the youngest. Let’s see in detail what the WHO recommends.
Some key figures
According to the WHO, childhood obesityis defined as “an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that poses a health risk.” In 1990, 32 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. In 2016 this figure rose to41 million, three-quarters of whom live in Africa and Asia. It is estimated that by 2025 this figure will rise to 70 million if no action is taken.
Childhood obesitygreatly affects their health and quality of life. These children have a high probability of remaining obese into adulthood. In addition, many children who are currently overweight are taking the path of obesity. There are many countries where prevention is not sufficiently developed. That is why WHO has put in place an action plan to combat this scourge.
Obesity prevention: what does WHO recommend?
1- Promote healthy food
WHO recommends that information on theharmfulness of certain food productsbe known to all. It also calls for taxing sugary drinks and setting benchmarks throughnutrition labelling. Finally, it recommends facilitating access to healthy products.
2- Promote physical activities
In this section, the World Health Organization recommends that anyone caring for children be vigilant about their body size, their physical activity, the quality of their sleep and their attitude to screens. In addition, . must be easily accessible, whether in schools or in public spaces.
3- Educate future parents before and during gestation
Follow-up should be in place to monitor Weight gain in pregnant womenand to manage gestational hyperglycaemia and hypertension. In addition, information on a balanced diet during pregnancy should be easily accessible to expectant parents.
4- Raise awareness of nutrition and physical activity from early childhood
The WHO wishes to promote breastfeedingthrough information in all maternities as well as breastfeeding facilities in various spaces (public, workplace, etc.). In addition, information on healthy eating should be provided to caregivers. Childcare facilities must also ensure the diet and physical activity of children.
5- Educate school-aged children about health, nutrition and physical activity
The WHO recommends that all schools have access to drinking water, implement hygiene standards and healthy food at mealtimes. Foods that are too fatty or too sweet must also be removed from schools. Finally, ahealth , nutrition and physical activity education program must be integrated into the school curriculum and information distributed to parents.
6- Educate on weight management
Regular monitoring of weight gain should be carried out by a team of professionals with children and adolescents. In some cases,psychosocial follow -up can be set up to support and educate families and prevent obesity in children .
Let’s not forget that food educationis a necessity to see healthy children grow up. In addition, a quality food environment and the example of adults are essential elements in order to avoid childhood obesity.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.