WHO warns vs childhood obesity due to sweetened beverages

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization has warned countries in the Western Pacific region, including the Philippines, against the threat of childhood overweightedness and obesity due to sweetened beverages.

To address the problem, the WHO called on governments in the region to impose higher tax on these drinks.

According to WHO, childhood obesity is now a serious public health problem, with more than 6.2 million children under five years in the Western Pacific now overweight.

“The prevalence of (overweightedness) among adolescents is increasing at alarming rates, reaching almost 60 percent in some Pacific island countries and more than 20 percent in some Asian countries,” WHO reported.

One in four adults in the region is overweight as adult obesity rates surged beyond 50 percent in several countries in the Pacific, it added.

Health experts attributed the increasing trend of childhood and adult obesity to the easy availability of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Citing data results of Global School-Based Student Health Surveys done across the region, WHO said 22 to 77 percent of adolescents “drink one or more carbonated soft drinks a day.”

“Evidence suggests that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages as part of a comprehensive approach to reduce sugar consumption has many benefits. It can encourage the consumption of healthier alternatives, improve access to healthy choices and prevent obesity and tooth decay,” WHO explained.

In the Philippines, the government is considering higher tax on soft drinks and other sweetened beverages.

To assist member-states in combating diet-related non-communicable diseases, the WHO held a workshop on taxing sugar-sweetened beverages with the objective of sharing recent evidence and experiences as well as identifying specific actions for the region.