The Government has approved the creation of Observatory of Nutrition and Study of Obesity which as we announced here, is launched this year.
The organ, under the presidency of the prestigious cardiologist Valentín Fuster, will be dedicated to combat excess weight, especially in the child population, analyze its causes and implement the initiatives that have been most effective nationally and internationally
Excess weight It is a major public health problem in Spain, both in the adult population and among children and adolescents. Specifically, 55% of adults are overweight, according to the National Health Survey.
As for children, more than 45% of children between the ages of six and nine suffer from obesity or overweight (according to the ALADINO study prepared by the Spanish Food Safety Agency - AESAN -).
The new Observatory will analyze the situation in more detail and allow have reliable data on excess weight. Among its functions will also be to analyze other policies and actions that are developed in the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity, highlighting and disseminating the most effective and impact on health.
The food industry will occupy a place in the organ, as well as the hospitality and distribution sector and supermarkets. A representative of the consumer and user associations will also participate.
The creation of this Observatory is part of the set of measures that the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality is putting in place to reduce obesity and raise awareness among the entire population (families, schools, public administrations and industry), that the Excess weight is a health problem. Preventing it prevents the onset of diseases and improves the quality of life.
Among the latest actions, an agreement has been signed this week between the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) and the Alimentum Foundation. Thanks to this agreement, throughout the year 2013, messages that promote healthy lifestyle habits and to combat problems arising from excess weight will be included, in all television campaigns developed by the signatory companies.
