WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
Early morning exercise in the Rizal Park in Manila city, Philippines.
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Obesity and overweight

    Overview

    Countries in WHO South- East Asia are in a state of nutrition transition driven by the flourishing economic development, urbanization which have led to lifestyle changes. Unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity are the key causes. The ongoing nutrition transition in the Region is characterized by persistent under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, and the emerging problem of over-nutrition. While South-East Asia has some of the lowest prevalence of overweight and obesity globally, they are seeing an alarming trend in the rates of increase in the last 10-15 years. An estimated 6.6 million young children under 5 years and one in five adults are currently overweight.  The growing paradox of under-nutrition and obesity in the same population, commonly described as the double burden of malnutrition impacts health status of the population and is straining national health capacities. 

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    Informed decision‑making in public private partnerships for physical activity and healthy diets

    In a context where noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are rising and unhealthy diets are increasingly prevalent, governments often face significant uncertainty...

    Supporting policymakers to overcome opposition to regulatory policies for improving population diets

    Improving population diets through regulatory measures—such as restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, front-of-pack labeling, and fiscal policies—has...

    Report of the WHO South-East Asia Regional meeting on nutrition and climate change

    Climate change undermine global food systems, increases food and nutrition insecurity and and exacerbates malnutrition in vulnerable populations. In the...

    Regional workshop on reducing young child malnutrition through optimizing diets and the food environment

    Optimum young child diets are essential to ensure the health and development of children to their full potential. Poor diets affect growth and metabolism,...

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