WHO develops nutrient profiling model to curb child obesity

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed a model for food nutrient profiling to help countries classify foods based on their nutritional composition to reduce childhood obesity.

The aim of the model that has been developed by the WHO regional office for Europe is to take a step towards decreasing the exposure of children to marketing promoting foods and drinks that are high in energy, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, free sugars or salt.

WHO said that such marketing has been found to have a harmful impact on children as it encourages the development of unhealthy food preferences and diets, and childhood obesity, which later contributes to the development of diet-related non-communicable diseases.

The model is based on the Danish and Norwegian models, where food marketing to children is largely restricted.

While the Norwegian model was developed by health authorities, the Danish model was developed by the Forum for Responsible Food Marketing Communication (a trade association) but endorsed for use by the Danish Government.

A statement by WHO said that there was a need for the setting up of policies to tighten controls on the marketing of foods, which will help controlling the spread of childhood obesity.

WHO regional office for Europe director of the division of non-communicable diseases and promoting health through the life-course Dr Gauden Galea said: "Given the current epidemic of childhood obesity across Europe, there is no justification for marketing products that have little nutritional value and contribute to unhealthy diets.

"The tool that we are offering to countries to adapt and use would protect children from the harmful effects of marketing of foods high in energy, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, free sugars and salt."

WHO initiated the task of developing the model under the WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-20, adopted by the 2014 WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

This profile will help relieve the pressure of marketing on children by helping countries identify foods that should not be marketed.

The model was developed through consultation with countries in the European region with people involved in the WHO European action network on reducing marketing pressure on children.

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Image: The nutrient profiling will help countries decide what foods should not be marketed. Photo: courtesy of KEKO64/freedigitalphotos.net.