Diet and physical activity: a public health priority
Healthy diets and regular, adequate physical activity are major factors in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout the entire life course. Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are two of the main risk factors for raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, abnormal blood lipids, overweight/obesity, and for the major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
- Overall, 2.7 million deaths are attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake.
- Overall, 1.9 million deaths are attributable to physical inactivity.
Recognizing the unique opportunity that exists to formulate and implement an effective strategy for substantially reduce deaths and disease burden worldwide by improving diet and promoting physical activity, WHO has adopted, in May 2004, the "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health".
MORE INFORMATION
Diet and Physical Activity
Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are two of the main modifiable risk factors for most of the main chronic diseases.
More information on diet
More information on physical activity
Childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight children, under the age of five, is estimated to be over 42 million.
More information
Obesity and overweight
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with approximately 1.6 billion persons (aged 15 years old and above) being overweight.
More information
Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths.
More information
|
