Proposed policy priorities for preventing obesity and diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Abstract

There is an alarming and escalating burden of overweight, obesity and diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, closely linked to changing dietary patterns. Obesity and the most common type of diabetes are largely preventable and urgent action is needed to reduce exposure to their causal factors, such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. This document takes into account the recommendations of several recent initiatives on the prevention of obesity and diabetes and identifies priorities for an approach to reduce exposure to unhealthy dietary risk factors. It presents an initial proposal for 10 priority areas for action, which cover 37 strategic interventions to help prevent overweight, obesity and diabetes in the whole population, including children, adolescents and adults