Obesity: a Ghost at the Feast of the Sustainable Development Goals

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite its rapidly rising global prevalence, obesity is not featured in any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review highlights the multiple points at which obesity is affected by the Goals.Recent FindingsAt least 14 out of the 17 thematic SDG targets play a role in driving the obesity epidemic, including health, food, education, water quality, land and ocean quality, urbanisation and employment.SummaryAlthough the SDGs recognise the need to reduce ‘malnutrition in all its forms’, it underplays the role of urbanisation and unregulated markets on dietary health. Furthermore, adherence to the SDGs may be weak and compromised by conflicted interests. Nonetheless, we have seen how governments can, when pressed, respond to health challenges, an d we anticipate how the rise in the numbers of people experiencing excess bodyweight may itself lead to greater demand for collective responsibility to ensure our environments are fully health-creating.
Source: Current Obesity Reports - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research