WHO obesity charter seems more like a mantra

doi:10.1136/bmj.39051.726852.3A

BMJ 2006;333:1221 (9 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39051.726852.3A

Letters

WHO obesity charter seems more like a mantra

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Every time the World Health Organization publishesa nutrition related strategy, whether for cardiovascular disease,obesity, or general health, there are calls to reduce fat, sugar,and salt. As far as I am aware, there is no relation betweensalt and the aetiology, prevention, and treatment of obesity.This makes me wonder whether the ideas in the new obesity charterare evidence based or just another mantra.¹

As usual, many regulatory initiatives are aimedat the multinational food companies and few at the day to daydrivers of our obesogenic lifestyle—such as fast foodoutlets (most of which are not chain stores), burger or chipvans (particularly those parked outside schools every lunchtime),out of town shopping, low cost home entertainment, lack of cookingskills among young people, unsafe open spaces for play and recreation,long working hours, lack of showers and bicycle parking, unimaginativephysical education at school, low . . . [Full text of this article]

Carrie H Ruxton, freelance dietitian

¹ Cupar, Fife KY15 4EA carrie@nutrition-communications.com