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| WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY MAY 1998 |
| The World Health Assembly in Geneva
signalled another important step towards wider recognition of the global
epidemic of obesity.
The issue was raised most notably by the Maltese delegation calling for more attention to be given to the issue. An optimistic WHO 1998 report noted
that people are healthier and living longer than ever but
made several references to the significant impact that obesity is making
on global health.
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Click on image to view WHO web pages
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| QUOTE |
Obesity is becoming one of
the most important
contributors to ill health (p87)
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| HIGHLIGHTS- facts, figures
and quotes from the WH98 report:
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| YEAR | Energy supply |
| 1963 | 2,300 |
| 1971 | 2,440 |
| 1992 | 2,720 |
| 2010 | 2,900 |
| Population with access to 2,700 calories per day energy supply is rising exponentially (p130) |
| 196971 | 145million |
| 1990-92 | 1,800 billion |
| 2010 | 2,700 billion |
| Diabetes cases will double from 143 million in 1997 to 300 million in 2025 largely because of dietary and other lifestyle factors (p5) |
| Severe overweight will reach a
corresponding level of 300 million by 2025 (p132)
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| QUOTE | "In developing countries, as their economies grow, noncommunicable diseases will become more prevalent, largely because of the adoption of "western" lifestyles and their accompanying risk factors - smoking, high-fat diet, lack of exercise." p5 |
| The WHO report pinpointed population
ageing, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles as four main
factors explaining the alarming upward trend in diabetes mellitus, identified
as a particular threat to developing nations. It noted that 20 years ago
diabetes was considered an uncommon disease: (p91)
"Although diabetes manifests itself most commonly in adult life, there is growing evidence that its origins lie much earlier and are related to inappropriate dietary patterns and exercise habits. World-wide, substantial increases in the frequency of obesity are occurring, in many cases at a relatively early age. Obesity is closely related to diabetes." (p91) The Report warned: "The
extent to which young people are involved in physical activity is a growing
concern in developed countries. Obesity is increasing, especially in the
younger age group. Nutritional problems, especially over consumption of
fats and sugars, are taking their toll." (p82)
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| CHILDHOOD OBESITY |
| CHILDHOOD OBESITY is emerging as a global problem, according to the report. Data from 79 developing countries and a number of industrialized countries suggest that about 22 million children under the age of 5 are overweight. (p69) |
| QUOTE
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"The result of scientific research continues to support the role of diet in the development of those diseases most responsible for mortality in the developed world..............The dynamic relationship between modifications in children's diets and sequential changes in their health as adults is beginning to emerge." (p73/74) |
| "Obesity affects almost 10% of
schoolchildren in industrialized countries and high rates are also emerging
in some of the developing ones. Some 30 per cent of obese children become
obese adults." (p69)
The Health of Youth Study found that 74% of 15-year-old boys studied exercised vigorously more than twice a week outside school, but only 52% of girls exercise twice weekly and were less active between the age of 11 and 15. (p82) |
| The WHO Executive Board report
to the WHA also focussed on the issue of childhood obesity and give differing
estimates for adult obesity :
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| "While millions remain undernourished,
there is a growing epidemic of obesity in children and adults, especially
in industrialized countries, but also in developing countries with fast
growing economies. An estimated 22 million children under five years of
age are significantly overweight (>2 standard deviation above reference
median weight for height).
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| "Obesity in children is a major
risk factor for obesity in adults, which in turn affects an estimated 286
million people. It is a significant risk factor in the huge burden of morbidity
and mortality, owing to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes
(type 2), some cancers, liver disease, gall-bladder disease, and accidents.
WHO organized a major consultation on obesity and, in view of the magnitude
of the problem, both regular global reporting and effective national public
health nutrition strategies are urgently needed."
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| The WH98 report contrasted the
problems of underweight and overweight and forecast that 300 million adults
will be severely overweight by 2025: (p132)
"Growth in the number of severely overweight adults is expected to be double that of underweight adults during 1995-2024. In order to assess the implications of these trends for the future health of mankind, the following figures should be considered: excess adult mortality in 1995 attributable to undernutrition is estimated at about 0.5 million deaths and to overnutrition about 1 million; mortality rates increase by about 25% and 100% respectively in underweight and overweight persons." (p132) The report included an underweight/overweight index showing the Russian Federation at the top of the league (BMI>25), ahead of the UK, although the table omitted any reference to the USA. (p131) "Obesity is also a significant risk factor for a range of serious noncommunicable diseases and conditions. WHO has initiated a review of associated morbidity and mortality with a view to developing guidelines for members states on obesity prevention and management. (p69) "Improved prevention therapy for childhood obesity are the most cost-effective approaches to reduce morbidity and mortality due to obesity in adulthood; three potential approaches for the preventive interventions to deal with this problem are reduction in dietary intake, increase in the energy spent on activity and reduction in inactivity.(p70) "Children with potentially lethal
complications of obesity such a sleep apnoea require rapid and sustained
weight reduction. One possible approach in children is a carbohydrate free
diet under careful monitoring and follow-up. The role of drugs in the treatment
of obesity is not clear. Some interventions aimed at both parents and children
have been successful (e.g. modifications in diet, lifestyle activities
and behaviour.)" (p70)
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| QUOTE
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"Life in the 21st century could and should be better for all. We can pass no greater gift to the next generation than a healthier future." - Hiroshi Nakajima, retiring DG WHO |
© All original material is copyright of the IOTF. These pages are edited by Neville Rigby, director of communications, IOTF, Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen AB21 9SB