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17 June 2016 - Kostas Chrysogonos – [E-004932-16] - Subject: Alarming figures on obesity:
The
OECD's 2015 report Health at a Glance contains alarming
figures about the percentage of citizens and especially children who are facing
obesity. According to
this report, obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of the
21st century, since, especially in Europe, it is three times as common as
in the 1980s, and by 2030 it is expected to affect up to one in two Europeans[1]. Obesity is also
considered responsible for the spread of diseases such as diabetes,
hypertension etc. Of even greater concern, however, is the fact that these
figures are more pronounced among children, since in Greece already about one
in two boys between 10 to 12 years of age is overweight, followed by the
UK which has a figure of 35%[2].
In
view of the above, will the Commission say:
1.
Does it monitor World Health Organisation surveys on obesity?
2.
What steps will it take to curb the growth of this phenomenon?
3.
The OECD report proposes an increase in the price of types of food that are
considered sources of fat and sugar. Does it agree with this strategy?
Answer
given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission (10 August 2016):
« 1. The Commission, under the framework of the
Health Programme[3], both follows and supports the World Health
Organisation (WHO) obesity-related databases Nutrition, Obesity and Physical
Activity and Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative[4]. The Commission, the Member States and the WHO
are also collaborating to monitor the action plan on Childhood Obesity (APCO).
2. The Commission
supports Member States' action to promote healthy diets in the framework of the
comprehensive Strategy on Nutrition, Overweight, and Obesity-related health
issues[5], the Health Programme[6] and through the High Level Group on Nutrition
and Physical Activity[7] and the EU platform for action on diet, physical
activity and health[8].
Initiatives are ongoing, such
as the implementation of the APCO, the Joint Action on Nutrition and Physical
Activity[9] and the EU Framework for national action on
selected nutrients[10].
In addition, by promoting
responsible marketing to children[11], improving consumer information[12], and supporting the EU School Fruit, Vegetables
and Milk Scheme[13], the Commission promotes healthier diets. Horizon
2020 offers opportunities for related research[14][15][16] and innovation is also supported through related pilot
projects financed by the European Parliament[17].
