Diet and physical activity: a public health priority
Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are key risk factors for the major noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
Recognizing the opportunity for reducing deaths and diseases worldwide by improving diets and increasing levels of physical activity, the World Health Assembly adopted the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, in May 2004.
This Strategy provides recommendations for Member States, WHO, international partners, private sector, civil society and nongovernmental organizations on the promotion of healthy diets and regular physical activity for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases.
Topics of interest
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Diet
Healthy diets play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
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Physical Activity
Being physically active is essential for good health throughout life.
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Childhood obesity
Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight children, under the age of five, is estimated to be over 42 million.
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Diet and physical activity: implementation toolbox
Includes resources for the implementation of diet and physical activity strategies at the national level.
New publications
Data related to diet and physical activity
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WHO Global InfoBase
The WHO Global InfoBase is a data warehouse that collects, stores and displays information on chronic diseases and their risk factors, such as diet and physical activity, for all WHO member states.