* The IOTF is part
of the International Association for the Study of
New UK figures – see separate
release
IOTF demands action
on childhood obesity crisis
New report to WHO finds overweight
affects 1 in 10 children worldwide
At least 155 million school-age children worldwide are overweight or
obese, according to a major new report from the International
In
a comprehensive dossier revealing how the global obesity epidemic is affecting
children, the International
The
report,
In
The
report was prepared by a special IOTF childhood obesity working group chaired
by Professors
- Increase in use of motorized transport, e.g. to school.
- Fall in opportunities for recreational physical activity.
- Increased sedentary recreation.
- Multiple TV channels around the clock.
- Greater quantities and variety of energy dense foods available.
- Rising levels of promotion and marketing of energy-dense foods.
- More frequent and widespread food purchasing opportunities.
- More use of restaurants and fast food stores.
- Larger portions of food offering better ‘value’ for money.
- Increased frequency of eating occasions.
- Rising use of soft drinks to replace water, e.g. in schools.
The
report concludes that the domination of ‘obesogenic’
or obesity-promoting environmental factors means that treatment is unlikely to
succeed without strategies to deal only the prevailing environment through a
broad-based, public health programme, and urges policy-makers to develop strong
policies to stem the rising problem.
“It
must be concluded that interventions at the family or school level will need to
be matched by changes in the social and cultural context so that the benefits can be sustained and enhanced. Such
prevention strategies will require a co-ordinated effort between the medical
community, health administrators, teachers, parents, food producers and
processors, retailers and caterers, advertisers and the media, recreation and
sport planners, urban architects, city planners, politicians and legislators,”
the report states.
While
in some developing countries childhood obesity was most dominant in wealthier
social groups, it is also rising among the urban poor “possibly due to their
exposure to Westernized diets coinciding with a history of undernutrition.”
Children in lower-income families in developed countries are particularly
vulnerable because of poor diet and limited opportunities for physical
activity. The report found that in the USA overweight rose twice as fast in
Hispanic and African–American pre-teenage children compared to white children
during the 1990s.
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.
Co-chair
Prof
Prof
We
really cannot afford delay any longer. We need to address this challenge with an
effective global strategy on diet, activity and health. We must act quickly.
The world’s children deserve no less.”
The
report is available upon request from
Childhood
Report *
IASO
International
London
NW1 2NS
Tel
+44 2076911907
Fax
+44 2073876033
Email:
childhood@iotf.org
*
A handling charge of £10 may be required. For details see website: www.iotf.org/childhood
Figure 1 Prevalence of overweight and
obesity among school-age children in global regions. Overweight and obesity defined by IOTF criteria. Children aged 5–17 years.
Based on surveys in different years after 1990. Source: IOTF.
Click on graph to see larger version. Right click to
download.
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