EP report: promote healthy diets and physical activity to tackle obesity 30-01-2007 Overweight and obesity are rising dramatically in the European Union (EU).
Nearly 27 percent of men and 38 per cent of women are regarded as being
overweight or obese. Across the EU-25, obesity affects five million children
with 300,000 new cases per year. A European Parliament report to be voted on in
February warns that if this trend continues “the consequences in terms of public
health…will be incalculable”. The report proposes better information on food,
more education about food, healthy school dinners and more sports as possible
solutions.
The report also includes various recommendations for local authorities on how
they can contribute to preventing overweight and obesity. When planning the
location of schools, for example, the promotion of a healthy and active
lifestyle should be considered. When schools are built closer to the communities
they serve, this will allow children to walk or cycle to school instead of
travelling by bus or car.
Obesity is more frequent in rural and urban areas that are socio-economically
disadvantaged. The report therefore emphasises that reaching the people in these
disadvantaged areas requires actions that are adapted to local needs and are
community-based. For these actions to have the desired effect, close cooperation
between all local actors (including general practitioners, local schools and
local health services) is vital. Funding from the European Social Fund and the
European Regional Development Fund should be made available for investment in,
for example, infrastructure that encourages outdoor play and safe transport.
Source: European Parliament Files back |
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