Digital marketing of unhealthy foods, online gaming main drivers of obesity: WHO

Digital marketing of unhealthy food products to children and online gaming that compels children to a sedentary life are the main drivers of obesity the World Health Organisation WHO has saidAccording to the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022 rates of overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions with only the Americas having a higher level of obese adults than EuropeThe global health body added that while nearly 60 per cent of adults and a third of children are overweight or obese the last two years of Covid19 pandemic made that worseObesity knows no borders In Europe and Central Asia no single country is going to meet the WHO Global NCD target of halting the rise of obesity said Hans Henri P Kluge WHO Regional Director for Europe while presenting the report at the European Congress on ObesityThe countries in our Region are incredibly diverse but every one is challenged to some degree By creating environments that are more enabling promoting investment and innovation in health and developing strong and resilient health systems we can change the trajectory of obesity in the RegionEnvironmental factors unique to living in modern Europes highly digitalised societies are the major drivers of obesityBesides the digital marketing of unhealthy food products to children the report also blamed the easy access to unhealthy foods through meal delivery apps for the rising cases of obesityEmerging evidence highlights the role of meal delivery apps in extending the physical food environment and providing convenient access to unhealthy food and beverage options with the swipe of a finger the report saidIt added that the proliferation of online gaming which promotes sedentary behaviour by reducing opportunities for physical activity is contributing to the rising tide of overweight and obesity in the European RegionIncreased body fat raises the risk of many diseases including cancer Type2 diabetes heart problems and lung conditions It is also the main cause of disability the report saidIt estimates obesity is leading to 12 million deaths every year in Europe corresponding to more than 13 per cent of all deathsAddressing obesity is critical to achieving the sustainable development goals the report addedThe new WHO report also outlined policy interventions such as the implementation of taxation on sugarsweetened beverages or subsidies for healthy foods restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children improvement of access to obesity and overweight management services in primary healthcare as part of universal health coverageThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever