Tackling childhood obesity

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World Health Organization’s representative to the South Pacific Dr Mark Jacobs speaks to the media at the 14th Pacific Heads of Health meeting held in Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Finding the solution to address the rise of obesity among Pacific Island children was one of the major challenges discussed at the 14th Pacific Heads of Health meeting in Nadi this week.

World Health Organization representative to the South Pacific Dr Mark Jacobs said telling people to eat less was no longer the only solution.

“Another big challenge that we’ll be looking at is obesity, particularly what is driving obesity in the Pacific and particularly in children,” he said.

“Because of course what happens with children and obesity has a big impact on what’s going to be their experience as adults.

“So we are going to have a lot of discussion about that because we know the solution to that is not just telling people they should eat less and exercise more,” Dr Jacobs said.

“It is about understanding what is behind this issue with obesity and working across sectors to try to tackle that.”

According to a report titled, “Tackling the drivers of obesity particularly for children and young people” presented at the regional meet, progress to addressing the problem was slow.

“Pacific Island countries and areas have taken action tackling obesity, however, the pace of progress was inadequate to address the increasing burden, escalating challenges and growing complexities associated with the drivers of obesity,” the report stated.

“Obesity is a development issue with many drivers — environmental, commercial, behavioural, social and demographic causing the epidemic.”

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