HCC has developed a series of Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Infographics. Childhood obesity is an emerging crisis globally and in the Caribbean where 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. These are staggering numbers threaten to undermine the health of entire generations if bold policy and legislative actions are not taken now to create environments supportive of healthier, happier children and adolescents,
Facts:
- 1 in 3 Caribbean Children is overweight or obese, Fueled by unhealthy diets linked to the over consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- Excess Sugar Consumption is a major cause of overweight and obesity, sweet beverages are the primary source of sugar in the diets of Caribbean children and adolescents.
- 66% of Caribbean Children 13-15 drank carbonated soft drinks one or more times per day during the past 30 days. These drinks are ultra-processed, energy-dense and nutrient-poor.
HCC Policy Asks:
- Healthy School Policies: Banning the sale and marketing of sweet beverages and unhealthy foods in and around schools.
- Taxation of Sweet Beverages: Imposition of a tax of not less than 20% on sweet beverages and use tax revenue for NCD prevention and control.
- Mandatory Front of Package Nutrition Warning Labels: Labelling of prepackaged foods high in key nutrients related to NCDs and obesity including fats, salts and sugars.
- No Marketing to Children: Banning the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children (includes non-school environments)
- Mandatory Physical Activity: Mandatory physical activity in all primary and secondary schools.
- Protect and Promote Breastfeeding: Enacting legislation related to The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
HCC policy asks are supported by CARPHA, PAHO, the World Obesity Federation and the WHO.
View/download our Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Infographics below, click/tap on each image to view/download.
In 2017 we launched our Civil Society Action Plan 2017-2021: Preventing Childhood Obesity in the Caribbean, which provides a framework for civil society action in support of national efforts to prevent and control childhood obesity.
You can also visit our dedicated Childhood Obesity Portal here.