Statement to the 152nd Executive Board - UN Decade of Action on Nutrition

World Obesity Federation and World Cancer Research Fund International welcome the report by the Director-General on the ‘UN Decade of Action on Nutrition’. We applaud the efforts to accelerate action addressing all forms of malnutrition, holistically, through a whole-of-government approach; and strengthening “food systems for health” policy action at the country level.

However, we remain concerned by insufficient support on implementing regulation around healthy diet promotion and call for a focussed integration of the ‘WHO Recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity over the life course’ into countries’ strategies. National roadmaps to counter the obesity epidemic developed through the WHO Acceleration Plan have the potential to drive progress on global nutrition targets. 

We urge Member States that policy actions prescribed around obesity be adequately financed, protected from industry interference, and made in consultation with civil society and people with lived experience. It is essential that the pace of action be accelerated, so that all people have access to affordable, diversified, safe and healthy diets.