The global obesity epidemic
The WHO and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are warning of a "global obesity epidemic". In Germany, 15 percent of children and about 60 percent of adults are considered overweight, and about one in four adults is obese. In addition, more than six million people suffer from diabetes; here, according to the German medical journal, obesity is the most important cause.
Physicians see the effects every day in the office or in the clinic. They know that simply recommending a healthier lifestyle to patients does little good. Most fail with their good intentions to eat a more balanced diet. Why? Because we live in an unhealthy environment: Nutrition labeling is small print and complicated, school cafeteria food is often unbalanced, so-called soft drinks are massively over-sugared, and aggressive marketing for unhealthy foods comes straight to smartphones. Children and young people in particular need to be better protected. But in international comparison, Germany lags far behind in the prevention of malnutrition.
Open letter to the federal government
In an open letter to the German government and Chancellor Merkel, an alliance of 15 doctors' associations, health insurance companies and specialist organizations and the well-known "TV doctor" Eckart von Hirschhausen are calling for concrete measures to be taken against malnutrition. Numerous doctors from all over Germany have joined the appeal with their signatures. At a press conference, the political demands will be explained in more detail and the total number of signatures will be announced. On the same day, the alliance will hand over the open letter to the Federal Chancellery.
Press conference on May 2, 2018, 10:30 a.m. Location: Conference Center in the House of the Federal Press Conference, Schiffbauerdamm 40 / corner Reinhardtstrasse 55, D-10117 Berlin, Room 1-2.
Participants:
- Dr. Jens Baas, Chairman of the Board of Management of Techniker Krankenkasse
- Dr. Thomas Fischbach, President of the Professional Association of Pediatricians and Adolescent Physicians
- Dr. Dietrich Garlichs, Representative of the Board of Directors of the German Diabetes Association
- Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen, physician, TV presenter, author, cabaret artist
- Oliver Huizinga, Head of Research & Campaigns at foodwatch
- Martin Litsch, Chairman of the Board of AOK Bundesverband
Text: foodwatch
More information & links
- Obesity - the underestimated cause of cancer
- Press release from Cancer UK 4 out of 10 cancer cases can be prevented
- RKI information on obesity in Germany
- European Food and Nutrition Action Plan (2015-2020)
- Codex Alimentarius Strategic Plan 2014-2019
- Strategies to combat obesity (WHO, 2007).
- Legislative indicator: Overweight (FSO)
