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Thought Bullets
for
June 2004 

World Health Organization - Global Strategy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been in intense discussions for two years on the best strategy to combat the increase of obesity in human populations around the world. Representatives of several countries met in Geneva last month to approve the proposed strategy on diet, physical activity and health. For this month’s thought bullets, I share some of the proposed components of WHO’s strategic plan. I also want to share with you some of the controversies that have surrounded the recommendations.

• According to the WHO website, more than one billion people in the world are overweight. The WHO lists two main causes for the overweight and obesity epidemic: 1) increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats and sugars, and 2) reduced physical activity.
• Governments around the world will be asked to do the following: 1) discourage food and beverage advertisements that exploit children; 2) tax less-healthy foods; 3) limit high-fat and high-sugar foods in schools; and 4) review agricultural policies that may contribute to obesity and related chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
• People around the world will be encouraged to do the following: 1) limit intake of fat, sugar and salt; 2) increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts; and 3) engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days.
• The recommendations have now been debated for two years and received intense opposition from producers of sugar and other crop and food producers. The Bush administration suggested changes to earlier versions of the strategy, requesting more emphasis on personal responsibility and less emphasis on government interventions.
• Bruce Silverglade, spokesperson for the Center for Science in the Public Interest stated, "No one is suggesting that government regulate what foods people put in their mouths, but the World Health Organization recognizes that government has a role in making the healthy choice the easy choice."
• Michael Diegel, spokesperson for the Grocery Manufacturers of America expressed concern over the proposal to tax certain foods and agricultural subsidies. He stated, "Taxes don’t change anybody’s eating habits. They just make food more expensive."
• Tommy Thompson, Secretary for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was expected to endorse the WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health and called the plan a "sound blueprint for action."

Sources:
World Health Organization website: www.who.int  (Search by key word "obesity.")  Accessed May 18, 2004.

Hellmich N. Health agency presents global plan to fight obesity. USA Today, May 17, 2004.

Compiled by Betty Holmes, MS, RD

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