World Health Organization's Global Strategy on diet, physical activity and health: the process behind the scenes

Kaare R Norum

doi:10.3402/fnr.v49i2.1529

Abstract

Some aspects of the difficulties and politics behind the making of a World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health are described. The main resistance came from sections of the food industry selling products high in sugar and salt. The article describes how these industries were lobbying both directly to the WHO and indirectly via member states. Their aim was to stall the work on the WHO Global Strategy; however, the Global Strategy was endorsed at the World Health Assembly in May 2004. Keywords: diet and health; food industry; food policy; non-communicable diseases; nutrient intake; physical activity; salt; saturated fats; sugar; World Bank; World Health Organization

Highlights

In May 2004 the Word Health Assembly endorsed a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (GS)
This had been documented yearly by the World Health Organization (WHO), and most clearly in the 2002 World Health Report (1), which showed that about 60% of all deaths in the world are from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and that the increase is most prominent in the developing world
The World Health Report 2002 revealed that several of the most important risk factors behind the NCDs were connected with diet, smoking and physical activity

Summary

Introduction

In May 2004 the Word Health Assembly endorsed a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (GS). The World Health Report 2002 revealed that several of the most important risk factors behind the NCDs were connected with diet, smoking and physical activity.

Results

Conclusion