On 15-17 November 2006, Ministers from the WHO European region met in Instanbul, Turkey for the first Pan-European Conference on Counteracting Obesity.

The conference, co-organised by the European Commission, was meant to place obesity high on the public health and political agendas and to foster greater awareness and high-level political commitment to action.

The problem

Rising rates of obesity are posing a threat to the economies of many countries facing an increasing burden of disease. The health problems caused by excess weight lead to a wide range of debilitating and life-threatening conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It is estimated that 150 million Europeans will be affected by 2010, 25 million more than a decade earlier. The number of overweight and obese children is increasing at the rate of 1.2 million children each year and childhood obesity is expected to affect one in 10 within five years.

NGO position

In a joint statement, non-governmental organisations urged health ministers to take strong and decisive steps to halt the rise in childhood overweight and obesity.

NGOs welcomed the fact that participants at the meeting included not only ministries of health, but also trade, agriculture, economy, transport, sport, urban planning, labour, education and finance and local government. If the escalation in obesity is to be reversed, all government sectors and levels must play a role since obesity is the result of many social, economic and environmental factors which together contribute to poor quality diets and reduced physical activity levels.

Governments must recognise their responsibility to regulate marketing to children, who are increasingly targeted via the internet as well as via television and other practices such as viral marketing. Tackling obesity requires a strong lead from governments and strong action from all sectors if we are to avert one of the biggest public health threats of the 21st century.

 Read NGO press release and joint statement below.

The European Public Health Alliance, one of HEAL’s founding Members, was very active in the shaping of the NGO position and throughout the conference. They coordinated a daily "Counteracting Obesity Newsletter" featuring contributions from NGOs, consumer groups and other stakeholders. The newsletter will soon be available on their website.

European Charter on Combating Obesity

On the last day, Ministers from across the WHO European Region adopted the European Charter on Counteracting Obesity. It calls for specific action, including regulatory measures, that each country can take to curb the obesity epidemic. The Charter states that visible progress should be achievable in most countries within five years, particularly for children and young people.

The Charter pays special attention to vulnerable groups such children and adolescents, and agrees that European governments should adopt regulations to substantially reduce the extent and impact of commercial promotion of energy-dense foods and beverages to children. Sue Davies, speaking on behalf of NGOs, said that "the WHO Charter is a good starting point for governments to take immediate action on a wide range of obesity-related issues. NGOs will continue to play a very active role, ensuring that this issue stays on the political agenda and translates into concrete and meaningful actions."

 Link to Regional Priority Goal II of the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe.