Obesity crisis
Food marketing plays a major role
FOOD marketing plays a major role in the national obesity crisis in children not only in Fiji but the Pacific region.
The issue is quite rife in our developing island nations where we import most of our food. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, obesity rates among adults and children in Fiji ranged from more than 30 per cent in Fiji to 80 per cent among women in American Samoa.
In about 10 Pacific Island countries, more than 50 per cent (and in some up to 90 per cent) of the population is overweight.
It was also found that 7.7 million children (in the Western Pacific Region in 2018), were stunted (too short for their age), while 2.6 million were wasted (too thin for their height), and 7.2 million were overweight or obese.
The over consumption of imported industrialised food high in salt, sodium, sugar and trans fats is the major driver behind this situation.
Also blamed were the over marketing of food to children. The impact of food marketing of processed foods which are accessible than ever because of rapid economic growth, urbanisation and globalisation has taken a toll on most island states.
Marketing of breastmilk substitutes, such as infant formula, and food and drinks high in saturated fats, trans fats, free sugars or salt is widespread.
This has contributed to a low proportion of babies being breastfed for the past decade, poor diets, overweight and obesity in children, and growing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes.
At the 17th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila Philippines, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete showed support when an action plan was endorsed to curb the issue.
A proposed Regional Action Framework on Protecting Children from the Harmful Impact of Food Marketing in the Western Pacific was proposed at the regional meet.
“The resolution calls on WHO to support member states, as appropriate to their national context, in: eliminating the public’s exposure to marketing of breastmilk substitutes; ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children; reducing children’s exposure to marketing of food and drinks high in saturated fats, trans fats, free sugars or salt; and minimising the persuasive appeal to children of marketing for food and drinks high in saturated fats, trans fats, free sugars or salt.
“The resolution also calls on member states to: strengthen leadership, governance and regulation; support multisectoral and multi-stakeholder actions; strengthen advocacy and communication; and strengthen national capacity to monitor implementation of these initiatives, evaluate progress and build evidence,” stated a WHO statement released last week.
According to Dr Waqainabete, the draft Regional Action Framework is very relevant to Fiji, as it provides synergies and the overall regional guidance to support local efforts.
Dr Waqainabete said since 2010, with the adoption of World Health Assembly resolution on marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children, Fiji has progressed a number of initiatives and actions to address issue. These include:
1. Undertaking consultations and drafting of Regulations on the Advertising and Promotion of Unhealthy Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Children;
2. Establishing the policy on Food Safety by the Central Board of Health;
3. Undertaking a Health Impact Assessment of the draft Regulations in 2016; and
4. Multi-sectoral membership of trade committees that include members from the regulatory Food Unit based within the Health Ministry.
Dr Waqainabete added, there was a need for all stakeholders to work together in terms of achieving the common goals.
“We also note that cross-border marketing and trade is a significant challenge faced in developing regulations for our nations in the region and we invite WHO to assist member countries in developing their own regulations and policies to deal with exposure to food marketing within borders that originate in other jurisdictions,” he said.
He added, food security of healthy alternatives is important and readily available.
This needs support by other government agencies such as agriculture, and more importantly, for the Pacific, this enhances our advocacy for climate change actions.