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DISCUSSION No. 129   •   FSN Forum digest No. 1242


Integrating nutrition into the curricula of agriculture education institutions: Strengthening human capacity to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture

until 5 July 2016





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Dear Members,
Below you will find an update on the ongoing discussion:
Are there any successful policies and programmes to fight overweight and obesity?<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>
The facilitators also posted feedback and relaunched the debate with further questions, including issues raised in your contributions.
Please keep posting, since, indeed, the fight against obesity is a long-run goal, but we need to start now!
All comments received so far and further background information on the topic are available on the discussion webpage<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>.
You can participate in English<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>, French<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fr/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>, Spanish<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/es/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>, Arabic<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/ar/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>, Chinese<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/zh/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity> and Russian<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/ru/activities/discussions/overweight_obesity>.
We look forward to keep learning from your experiences!
Your FSN Forum team







FACILITATOR'S CONTRIBUTIONS





Rodrigo Vasquez, FAO, Chile

First of all I want to thank you for all the comments, suggestions and ideas; these are very valuable and useful for our study.
Most of the comments are more related to health, nutrition, education and economic policy, which are fundamental in the fight against obesity.
Also some contributors have made some comments related to the role of the farmers in the context of having a supply of healthy food. I think that in order to address this issue we need to have a policy that covers an inclusive and efficient food system, from supply to demand. So, as a moderator I would like to know if you are aware of successful programmes or policies in which the farmers were included in short marketing circuits. Additionally, another related intervention aiming to supply healthy food concerns urban community farms, school farms or gardens; please share examples of successful experiences in this area you may know about.
Thanks again for all the contributions.
Keep posting please!
The fight against obesity is a long-run goal, but we need to start now!
Best
Rodrigo





Francisca Silva, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile

Dear contributors,
Thank you to everyone who has shared ideas and provided case studies so far!
Very insightful cases of policies and programs addressing obesity and overweight have been presented. Some of them might serve as a model for similar practices, while the analysis of the failed ones will be very useful to avoid making the same mistakes.
In addition, many of you have pointed out the need of a comprehensive understanding of the driving factors behind overeating, and the need to contextualize them, taking into account ethnicity, occupation, regional and social considerations. It is also important to consider the industry reactions and the ways people change their consumption patterns.
Another very interesting contribution was the one that linked trade and obesity, stating that the lack of legally binding health and dietary standards constrains the implementation of national measures.
Please keep these cases coming! I am interested to hear about taxes on unhealthy food, labelling and restrictions to advertising on unhealthy food. Also I would be very interested to know if there are any particular examples of how the industry can be encouraged to provide healthy foods.
Thank you for these and your other rich contributions!
Best regards,
Francisca







CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

[icon]Isaac Kamoko, Kamoko Farms, Zambia

Isaac lists some of the factors that lead to overweight and obesity.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7178>



[icon]Vethaiya Balasubramanian, Freelance consultant, India

According to Vethaiya, consumer education, both for adults and children, and incentives for industries to produce healthier food are the most important interventions that can address obesity and overweight.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7179>
In his second contribution, Vethaiya points to the nexus between soil health, production practices, crops/animal health, and human health.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7185>
Furthermore, he presents an initiative on home gardening aimed at promoting the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7186>



[icon]Kuruppacharil V.Peter, World Noni Research Foundation, India

KV Peter refers to the "10 Commandments to manage new life style diseases" prepared by the World Noni Research Foundation; he also highlights the role of amaranth and quinoa for healthy diets.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7180>
In addition, KV Peter shares striking data on obesity and underweight among rural Indian women.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7190>



[icon]Andrea Borlizzi, FAO, Italy

Andrea elaborates on some of the actions needed to address the increasing rates of overweight and obesity, and specifically: the promotion of sustainable mobility, campaigns on healthy diets, stricter rules on substances and additives for processed food, and support for local markets.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7181>



[icon]Patrick Dlamini, Ministry of Agriculture, Swaziland

Patrick shares information and challenges of a programme called "Shukuma Swaziland", which means "be active and exercise Swaziland": this programme encourages people of all ages to exercise and runs throughout the country with government support. Because it is a new intervention, information on impacts is not yet available.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7182>



[icon]Jane Sherman, FAO, Italy

Jane shares some encouraging facts on programmes implemented in the USA, which prove to be effective in reducing child obesity rates.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7188>



[icon]Simone Bösch, World Cancer Research Fund International, UK

Simone presents the NOURISHING food policy database of the World Cancer Research Fund International. This database includes policies aimed to promote healthy diets and to reduce overweight/obesity and non-communicable diseases from over 100 countries.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7191>



[icon]Adetunji Olajide Falana, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria

In Nigeria, there is no standalone policy on overweight and obesity, but there are strategic direction documents embedded in both health and nutrition programmes targeting school children, adolescents and adults. According to Adetunji, the government focuses mainly on other forms of malnutrition and on undernutrition, overlooking the issue of overweight and obesity.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7193>



[icon]Dr. Amanullah, The University of Agriculture, Pakistan

Dr. Amanullah posts some recommendations on healthy eating and habits to prevent overweight and obesity.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7196>



[icon]Lynn Silver, Public Health Institute, USA

Lynn shares information and references on several policies implemented in New York City and other areas in the USA. Many interventions involve public procurement policies for schools and hospitals, and play a role in changing food production. Often these policies have been accompanied by education. In addition, policies which prohibit advertising of unhealthy food and beverage products to children are urgently needed as well as taxes on sweetened beverages. However, most importantly, sustainable food supply chains need to be created.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/7189>





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