Statement to the 74th World Health Assembly - NCDs

Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases

World Obesity welcomes the addition of Annex 11 to decision EB148(6) on major obstacles to achieving diabetes-related targets, and the subsequent tabling of the Resolution. World Obesity strongly supports the request to develop recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity over the life course and submit these to the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly. As the leading global obesity organisation, World Obesity is ready to work alongside WHO and Member States on this.

Obesity causes 80-85% of Type 2 diabetes. Thus, we will only be able to halt the rising prevalence of diabetes if obesity is controlled. However, the likelihood of the 2025 NCD plan targets for zero increase in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes being met are very low. Meanwhile, childhood obesity rates are nearly doubling every ten years and consequently, school-aged children are now developing Type 2 diabetes.

We urge Member States:

• To recognise obesity as a disease as well as a risk factor for other NCDs like diabetes
• In-line with the priority areas outlined in the Global Diabetes Compact, to call on WHO to conduct a review of the implementation of the report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and develop a monitoring and accountability framework
• To advocate for people-centred care and ensure that people living with NCDs are included in the development and evaluations of interventions and guidelines
• Following the mandate from this Resolution, to support WHO in developing recommendations to inform a future roadmap for obesity, including a Resolution that addresses prevention, treatment and management of the disease

With global obesity targets catastrophically off-track, other health targets remain in jeopardy. The goal for WHO’s target for 1 billion people to live healthier lives by 2023 will not be met without action on obesity.