Medical News

May 2004

Take Action Now on Childhood Obesity, Expert Says

LONDON - At least 155 million school-age children worldwide are overweight or obese, according to a major new report from the International Obesity TaskForce.*

In a comprehensive dossier revealing how the global obesity epidemic is affecting children, the International Obesity TaskForce says that one in 10 children is overweight, a total of 155 million. Around 30-45 million within that figure are classified as obese - accounting for 2-3% of the world’s children aged 5-17. A further 22 million younger children are also affected according to previous IOTF global estimates based on WHO data for under fives.

The report, Obesity in children and young people: A crisis in public health, was delivered to the World Health Organization on the eve of a critical decision by government ministers in Geneva on adopting a global strategy on diet, activity and health, and warned that childhood obesity was “increasing in both developed and developing countries,” with significantly increased risks that children may develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease and a variety of other co-morbidities.

Calling on the WHO to help countries to develop National Obesity Action Plans with a high priority set for tackling the prevention of childhood obesity, the report says action is needed to:

  • provide clear and consistent consumer information, e.g. on food labels;
  • encourage food companies to provide lower energy, more nutritious foods marketed for children;
  • develop criteria for advertising that promotes healthier eating;
  • improve maternal nutrition and encourage breast-feeding of infants;
  • design secure play facilities and safe local neighbourhoods;
  • encourage schools to enact coherent food, nutrition and physical activity policies;
  • encourage medical and health professionals to participate in the development of public health programmes.

    The report is available upon request from
    Childhood Report *
    IASO International Obesity TaskForce
    231 North Gower Street
    London NW1 2NS
    Tel +44 2076911907
    Fax +44 2073876033
    E-mail: childhood@iotf.org

    Source:    International Association for the Study of Obesity  www.iotf.org

     

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