Statement to the 154th Executive Board - Leveraging the power of sport for improved health and well-being

Leveraging the power of sport for improved health and well-being

Draft decision proposed by China, Egypt, the European Union and its 27 Member States, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates and Yemen

World Obesity strongly supports the draft decision on strengthening health and well-being by leveraging the power of sports events.

Comprehensive action on obesity includes improving overall health, without it being limited to weight loss. The physical and mental benefits associated with physical activity must encourage all people to engage in physical activity in our daily lives. We ask that Member States implement the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity policy recommendations and commend the draft decision’s call to improve participation in sport and physical activity, inclusively meeting the needs of individuals with obesity.

To further efforts in tackling the obesity crisis, we urge Member States to address the risks of undue influence at sports events and implement the call to limit marketing of unhealthy products.