One billion people suffer from obesity, and the World Health Organization calls for accelerating action to combat it | United Nations News

The World Health Organization estimates that by 2025, nearly 167 million people - both adults and children - will lose their health due to being overweight or obese.

World Obesity Day is celebrated on the 4th of March. On this occasion, the World Health Organization urged countries to do more to reverse and prevent this predictable health crisis.

What do you know about obesity?

Obesity is a disease that affects most of the body's systems. It affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints and reproductive system.

It leads to a range of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, various forms of cancer, as well as mental health problems.

Obese people are also three times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19.

How can it be prevented?

The World Health Organization stressed the importance of acting early in order to prevent obesity, ideally even before pregnancy.

Good nutrition during pregnancy, followed by exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond, is best for all infants and young children.

At the same time, the World Health Organization has indicated the need for countries to work together to create a better food environment so that everyone has access to a nutritious diet. Healthy and affordable.

Effective steps include restricting marketing of foods and beverages high in fat, sugar and salt to children, taxing sweetened beverages, and providing better access to affordable, healthy food.

Cities and towns need to create space for safe walking, cycling and recreation, and schools need to help families teach children healthy habits from an early age.

Action Plan

The World Health Organization said it is responding to the global obesity crisis on many fronts. This includes monitoring and prevalence of global trends, developing a wide range of guidelines addressing the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity, and providing implementation support and guidance to countries.

At the request of Member States, the WHO Secretariat is developing an action plan to accelerate action to stop obesity, tackle this epidemic in countries that suffer most from the disease, and catalyze global action.

The plan will be discussed at the 76th World Health Assembly, which will be held in May 2022, the WHO said.