Details

All nations deal with obesity. Global obesity prevention is barely successful. Few Latin American countries reduced obesity. Marketing's unchecked impact on poor eating choices is a major cause of the epidemic. International health groups have recommended minimizing children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing, but progress has been slow and primarily industry-led, less effective than statutory alternatives. Marketing from childhood shapes values. Even 3-year-olds can get hooked on brands. Childhood habits are usually lifelong. This policy brief updates the 2016 analysis. Secondary research and literature review on the latest global and national studies outline interventions to improve childhood obesity epidemiology in the UAE and internationally to identify new issues, lessons learned, and solutions. UAE obesity, international standards, and government childhood obesity policies were examined to discover what actions are still delayed or unimplemented. To improve food and activity environments, governments must lead, advocate for a multi-sector response, and formulate and implement policies (laws and regulations). They need more consistent financing to eliminate obesogenic settings and encourage healthy eating and exercise.