Enabling food environment in kindergartens and schools in Iran for promoting healthy diet: is it on the right track?
Publication date: 2021
Enabling policies related to kindergarten and school food environments can be effective approaches in preventing childhood obesity. This study investigated policies and/or programmes with direct or indirect effects on the food environment in kindergartens and schools in Iran. These programmes have helped to control food availability in schools, increase nutritional awareness, positively influence physical function and school performances, and reduce malnutrition in rural kindergartens. However, improving the food environment in schools and kindergartens requires proper revisions and local adaptation of many of these policies, strengthening of cross-sectoral collaborations, provision of necessary financial and human resources, and ensuring regular monitoring and evaluation.
Impact of sin taxes on consumption volumes of sweetened beverages and soft drinks in Saudi Arabia
Publication date: 2021
The consumption of sweetened drinks plays a major role in increasing the burden of diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence rate of obesity and overweight individuals in Saudi Arabia has increased alarmingly among children over the past decade, revealing a crucial need to initiate and monitor effective prevention measures of obesity. This paper aims to measure the impact of sin taxes of sugar-sweetened beverages on the consumption level of such beverages in Saudi Arabia.
Food consumption patterns among children and adolescents and their correlation with overweight/obesity in Egypt: a cross-sectional study
Publication date: 2020
Overweight and obesity have become epidemic diseases in Egypt. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Egyptian children and adolescents in correlation to food consumption patterns and other risk factors. The study recommends that prompt action needs to be taken to prohibit unhealthy food items including carbonated soft drinks, crackers, juices and chocolates in schools as well as to advocate for increasing taxes on them.
Rapid assessment of marketing of unhealthy foods to children in mass media, schools and retail stores in Oman
Publication date: 2019
This rapid assessment aimed to examine marketing techniques of foods and non-alcoholic beverages targeting children and assessed implementation of food restrictions in schools as part of the national effort to address obesity in Oman. Trained reviewers assessed Arabic TV satellite stations, local radio and print media, a random sample of schools, and a convenience sample of grocery stores, cafes and convenience stores between November 2015 and October 2016. As a conclusion, urgent efforts are needed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework based on the Child Law in-line with the WHO recommendations.
Implementing the WHO recommendations on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2018
This report provides a situational analysis of the progress made in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in implementing the WHO set of recommendations, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2010, which called on Member States to adopt policies restricting the marketing of unhealthy food to children. It offers guidance to Member States on how to urgently implement these recommendations as part of effective obesity prevention strategies. It also identifies the issues that countries need to consider when adopting policies intended to restrict the marketing of unhealthy food to children.
Nutrient profile model for the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2017
This regional nutrient profile model was developed based on the model from the WHO Regional Office for Europe, adapting it to the context of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The model is designed for use by governments to regulate and restrict food marketing to children. It provides a categorization for food items and proposes clear requirements for the nutritional content of food items whose marketing to children is permitted. In addition to the model itself, the document includes a rationale and background for the model and instructions for use.