GLOBAL HEALTH WHO tentatively agrees on obesity-curbing plan
The measure includes ways to encourage healthful choices.
GENEVA (AP) -- In a decision seen as a triumph of public health over the sugar industry, the world's health ministers tentatively agreed on a landmark plan to fight a growing trend of obesity and diseases caused by poor diet and exercise habits.
The nonbinding agreement Friday, expected to be formally approved today by the governing body of the World Health Organization, is a blueprint for countries trying to develop policies that make it easier for people to eat more healthfully and exercise more.
It offers a comprehensive menu of options for heading off a worldwide explosion in obesity and diseases linked to diet and physical activity, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, malnutrition and tooth decay.
The plan's recommendation to limit sugar intake became the focus of controversy early on as health advocates feared that objections by sugar-producing countries were going to derail it.
"It is a victory for public health that this went through without the sugar industry destroying it," said Dr. Kaare Norum, a Norwegian obesity expert who advised WHO on the development of the plan.
Sought wording
Brazil, a major sugar producer, said agreement was reached after language was inserted to ensure the plan could not be interpreted as "a tool for any kind of trade-distorting measures such as subsidies."
"It's not only a health document. It's a political document which contains guidelines. Countries have to feel comfortable," a senior Brazilian delegate said on condition of anonymity.
Independent health advocates said the changes did not compromise the strength of the diet plan.
The global strategy sets out recommendations such as the reduction of sugar, fat and salt in processed food; the control of food marketing to children; and more comprehensive nutrition labeling and health education.
It also provides ideas on ways to make healthful choices easier at school, work and home.
Approaches could include better urban planning to make walking and cycling more popular and tying toy promotions in with healthful fast-food meals.
The strategy also could be used to build programs that subsidize the provision of fruits and vegetables in school cafeterias or to encourage video games powered by bicycle.
"There was a lot of lobbying from different stakeholders, but in the end, public health has been able to be recognized, and that's the most important point," said Dr. Catherine LeGales-Camus, assistant director for noninfectious diseases at the World Health Organization.