Childhood obesity has become a major public health concern in Europe, with around one-third of 11-years-olds overweight or obese according to the WHO. Obesity can cause severe emotional difficulties for the children affected, resulting in with lower self-esteem and increased chances of underachievement in school. The health consequences of obesity are moreover significant, with children suffering from conditions most prevalently experienced in adulthood such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and orthopaedic problems. More than 60% of overweight children will stay overweight into adulthood, imposing a major burden on public spending. Indeed, around 7% of the national health budgets across the EU are spent each year on diseases linked to ;
The European Union has made a concerted effort, in partnership with international organisations, to tackle this challenge. In 2014, the European Commission launched the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 with the overarching objective to halting the rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people by 2020. It sets out priority areas for action and possible measurement tools and provides a basis for the Member States to develop policy on childhood obesity. In the same year, the WHO adopted the new European Food and Action Plan 2015-2020, signalling a renewed effort to improve food system governance and the overall quality of the European population’s diet and nutritional status.
Despite these measures, the number of obese children is constantly rising. This development is brought by a number of elements, among them socioeconomic factors; family as a driving force for unhealthy behaviour; children being exposed to a sedentary environment; the high media consumption and the consequent exposure to food advertisement. Urgent action is needed to raise awareness of the consequences of obesity, to promote healthy diets and physical activities whilst improving access to adequate and accessible treatment. The food and beverage industry is moreover obliged to market and label products responsibly and proactively support Governments to decrease the alarming number of obese children across the ;
This symposium will provide a timely and invaluable opportunity to engage with the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 and the WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020. It will also enable attendees to examine the factors underpinning childhood obesity and discuss the current strategies for prevention and treatment. The symposium will further offer delegates a platform to share ideas and best practice from across Europe.
Delegates Will:
12 Oct 2017 @ 09:00 am
12 Oct 2017 @ 04:30 pm
Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre
Boulevard Avenue 17
Belgium
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