WHO urges promotion of nutritious diet, bodily exercise in Southeast Asia

The South-East Asia Area was experiencing fast demographic transition with urbanisation and financial progress additional driving unhealthy diets, decreased bodily exercise and extra sedentary existence. Picture for illustration.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Pictures

The World Well being Group (WHO) on Wednesday (September 17, 2024) known as on international locations within the international well being physique’s ‘South-East Asia Area’ to strengthen insurance policies and promote wholesome diets and bodily exercise to fight the rising numbers of obese people, weight problems, and the unfold of non-communicable illnesses, that are main causes of dying within the area.

Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO, South-East Asia, talking on the inaugural occasion of a regional assembly to “promote wholesome diets and meals environments, and bodily exercise by means of insurance policies and enabling environments” mentioned that the burden of being obese, overweight, and their related metabolic issues has been steadily rising within the area, affecting each youngsters and adults.

Ms. Wazed added that the tendencies had fuelled a surge in non-communicable illnesses, together with heart problems, diabetes and most cancers, which have been chargeable for almost two-thirds of all deaths within the area.

The South-East Asia Area was experiencing fast demographic transition with urbanisation and financial progress additional driving unhealthy diets, decreased bodily exercise and extra sedentary existence. 

“Wholesome diets and common bodily exercise are elementary to attaining this goal. Nevertheless, this requires greater than information and behavior change — it requires creating enabling environments that assist and encourage more healthy decisions,” Ms. Wazed mentioned.

“Sturdy regulatory frameworks and insurance policies are essential for creating more healthy meals environments at residence, college, retail and digital areas, in addition to secure leisure areas and walkways, particularly in city settings. Fiscal insurance policies also needs to incentivise wholesome diets,” she mentioned.

“A number of international locations within the area have already made important progress by introducing meals labelling rules, banning trans fat in meals, and implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks, however additional motion is critical,’’ the WHO mentioned in a press release.