WHO: Weight a threat in poorer nations

 THE World Health Organisation says many low and middle income countries are neglecting overweight and obesity as major health threats.

WHO said the countries lacked policies to halt the growing burden of diseases due to overweight and obesity.

More than 100 million children under five years in the world are underweight and 165 million are stunted (have a low height for their age which is a better indicator of chronic under-nutrition).

An estimated 35% of all deaths among children under five are associated with under-nutrition while some 43 million under five are overweight or obese.

WHO revealed that more than 75% of overweight children lived in developing countries with the prevalence in Africa almost doubling in the last 20 years.

Obese children are more likely to be obese adults with an increased risk of diabetes and other diseases. 

WHO has issued a consolidated package of 24 Essential Nutrition Actions which outline the most effective ways countries could improve their people’s nutritional status by preventing both under-nutrition and overweight. 

There are many factors during pregnancy and infancy that could affect an older child’s and an adult’s weight. 

The interventions include :

• Improving nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• Encouraging early breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months then continued breastfeeding up to two years;
• Promote appropriate solid foods for young children; and 
• Provide micronutrient supplements and fortified foods when needed.

“Increasingly we find overweight children living in countries where under-nutrition is also still an issue,” director of Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Dr Francesco Branca said.

“While it is vital to maintain efforts to reduce under-nutrition, the world needs to do much more to prevent and care for the growing numbers of people that are overweight or obsess and living in low and middle income countries.”