In 2022, WHO/Europe will launch the new, voluntary, Member State led Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network to promote healthier diets as well as reduce overweight and obesity levels across the WHO European Region. The Network will bring together policy-makers and health experts from all 53 of the Region’s Member States, to explore ways to achieve sugar and calorie reduction, respecting national food systems and food traditions, and the regulatory environment. The United Kingdom will lead the Network for the first 3-year term.
Excess sugar intake increases the likelihood of consuming too many calories, which in turn increases the risk of overweight and obesity. These 2 conditions are directly linked with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
“In some countries of the WHO European Region, 1 in 3 children aged between 6 and 9 years old live with overweight or obesity. We are seeing encouraging signs, as the overall obesity situation in Europe and central Asia has begun to improve in recent years, according to the latest WHO data,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. However, despite these efforts trends in the Region are going in a negative direction.
“We must make further progress, and activities such as this new sugar and calorie reduction initiative can build on this promising start. All people across the Region and beyond deserve better nutrition for better health,” he added.
The WHO European Programme of Work 2020–2025 (EPW) aims to promote a healthier environment and support policy development to achieve better health in Europe. Creating platforms for Member States to share their experience and learn from each other is a key strategy in implementation of the EPW, as stated by Dr Kluge.
Healthier diets for all
Following discussions with Member States, WHO/Europe decided to establish the Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network in order to:
- increase understanding of the barriers and opportunities involved in undertaking a sugar and calorie reduction programme in different countries;
- create an environment across the Region that encourages and enables other countries to improve the nutritional quality of food and beverages available to consumers;
- coordinate how countries respond to industry and encourage industry to reformulate products in a positive, timely way.
Reducing sugar intake: United Kingdom’s experience
The United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will lead national efforts to improve and level up the health of the nation by tackling obesity, helping improve mental health and promoting physical activity. The OHID will be leading the agenda of the Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network starting in 2022, bringing forward the United Kingdom’s extensive experience in addressing sugar intake at the national level.
The current guidance on sugar intake in the United Kingdom was updated in 2015, based on extensive scientific data backed by WHO. Today, it is recommended that free sugars should ideally contribute no more than 5% to individual energy intakes in the country. The recent voluntary sugar reduction programme for food producers in the United Kingdom has seen good progress – with sugar reduced by 13% in breakfast cereals, yogurts and fromage frais between 2015 and 2018.
However, sugar intake still exceeds recommendations across all age groups in the country. This trend remains true for many other countries of the European Region.
Joint action for better nutrition
The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid said: “It is a testament to the success of our pioneering work in the UK to help people eat more healthily that we have been chosen to lead this programme. We will work closely with our European partners to challenge the food industry to reduce sugar and calories in its products – reducing obesity, relieving pressure on health services and increasing our resilience to COVID-19 and any future pandemics”.
In a global food market where products are increasingly supplied by the same transnational companies, the Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network will encourage open and transparent ways of working with businesses and help to create a healthier food environment.
The WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of NCDs is facilitating this Network based on the success they have achieved through similar networks such as the European Salt Action Network (led by Switzerland) and Reducing Marketing Pressure on Children (led by Portugal).