WHO: Promote healthy diets, physical activity in South-East Asia region

The World Health Organization today called on countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region to strengthen policies to promote healthy diets and physical activity to combat the rising levels of overweight, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases which is a leading cause of deaths in the Region.

An estimated 5 million children under the age of five are overweight, and 37.3 million children between the ages of 5 to 19 are also affected in the WHO South-East Asia Region.

The Region is experiencing rapid demographic transition with rapid urbanization, and economic growth further driving unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, and more sedentary lifestyles. Nearly 74% of adolescents and 50% of adults are not physically active enough.

Obesity and NCDs are major challenges to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which seeks to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030 through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

Strong regulatory frameworks and policies are crucial for creating healthier food environments at home, school, retail, and digital spaces, as well as safe recreational areas and walkways, especially in urban settings. Fiscal policies should also incentivize healthy diets.

To address these challenges, WHO has outlined evidence-based 'best buy' recommendations, which include implementing regulations in schools and workplaces to reduce unhealthy diets, promoting community initiatives, and ensuring access to healthy food options and opportunities for physical activity, particularly for disadvantaged groups.

WHO's Global Action Plan for Physical Activity (GAPPA) provides additional guidance for making populations and societies more active, while recognizing the cultural constraints that often limit participation, especially for girls and women.

Several countries in the Region have already made significant progress by introducing food labeling regulations, banning trans fats in food, and implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, but further action is necessary.

At the regional meeting, experts, officials, and representatives from key sectors and civil society are discussing ways to strengthen multisectoral collaboration across education, commerce, transport, agriculture, and urban planning to address the Region's growing health challenges from unhealthy lifestyles and sedentary behavior.