Tackling Childhood Obesity in Europe:
Comparative Perspectives on Prevention and Policy Implementation

Key Speakers

	Ms. Caroline Bollars, Technical Officer – Nutrition Policy, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programme, World Health Organisation
	Mr. Mogens Kirkeby, President, International Sports and Culture Association, Denmark
	Dr. Tim Lobstein, Director of Policy and Programmes, The International Association for the Study of Obesity
	Dr. Jennifer Baker, Senior Research Associate, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
	Dr. Juan Ballesteros, Vocal Asesor Estrategia NAOS, Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition

With children in Europe getting heavier and less active, Governments across the EU have declared childhood obesity as one of Europe’s most pressing public health challenges. Chronically overweight individuals face a number of serious health, social and psychological challenges with their quality of life being adversely affected. Obesity increases the risk of a person developing serious illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and strokes. According to a study conducted in Sweden (2011), pregnant women who are obese expose their children to a higher risk of developing obesity-related diseases such as asthma. The risk, therefore, of obesity-related diseases in children can be reduced by examining mothers’ behaviour around a child’s birth.

According to the European Commission, some 22 million children in the EU are considered overweight or obese, with the numbers growing by 400,000 per year. A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) showed that 13.3% of EU children aged 11-15 are overweight or obese, with numbers rising for boys in all countries, while declining slightly for girls in Ireland and Britain.

The EU has a pivotal role to play in dealing with these challenges through its food safety, public health, education and research policies. Whilst officials have recognised the threat by promoting healthy eating campaigns and specialised events, these measures alone are not effective enough. Communities and governments alike need to act to curb the epidemic. More can be done to raise awareness, especially by improving health education in schools.

To identify the underlying social causes of obesity and their common risk factors, WHO/Europe commissioned a review of the social determinants of health throughout all 53 Member States, due to be completed this year. This review will provide scientific evidence and a framework for future action to help develop a new health policy for the Region. Furthermore, WHO/Europe supports activities at country and international level to implement the WHO European Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy 2007-2012. For this purpose, action networks have been set up consisting of groups of Member States that have taken the lead in addressing particular challenges, such as reducing salt intake and reducing marketing pressure on children.

This timely international symposium offers an invaluable opportunity to consider the progress made in tackling childhood obesity. There is an urgent need for coordinated partnerships involving different government sectors, communities, marketing/mass media and the private sector to ensure that diet and everyday levels of physical activity can be changed effectively and sustainably.

Public Policy Exchange welcomes the participation of all partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Delegates will:

• Explore the progress, challenges and next steps in curbing the rise of obesity in children and ways in which to encourage healthy lifestyle habits in every child
• Explore ways of embedding effective and sustainable interventions in health, education and care systems to influence current environment and cultural practices within schools
• Support healthy eating and physical activity strategies along with their possible inclusion in political decisions and initiatives in Europe
• Identify measurable data on childhood obesity and utilise it in relevant cross-border projects
• Discuss how to provide healthier options and protect children from unhealthy food advertising

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Public Health Practitioners
• Health Promotion Practitioners
• Child Health Visitors
• Family Nurse Partnerships
• General Practitioners
• Local Authority Officers and Councillors
• Central Government Departments and Agencies
• Heads of Children’s Services and Teams
• Pre-School, Infant School, Primary and
• Secondary School Head Teachers and Staff
• School Nurses
• Health Service Professionals
• Youth Services
• Leisure Services
• Food and Drinks Industry Professionals
• Midwives
• Maternity Care and Midwifery Organisations
• Maternity Support Workers
• NHS Training Departments
• Parent Participation Teams
• Parental Engagement Teams
• Paediatricians
• Teenage Pregnancy Coordinators and Advisors
• Local Pregnancy Advisory Services
• Heads of Early Years
• Play Groups
• Social Workers and Social Services Officers
• Family Planning Clinics
• Integrated Disabled Services
• Local Education Authorities
• Safeguarding Children Teams and Local
• Safeguarding Boards
• Voluntary and Community Organisations
• Third Sector Practitioners and Organisations
• Trade Unions
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Practitioners
• Academics and Researchers