1. OBESITY PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Lessons from
Campaigns, Interventions and Advocacy
1 Nov 2016, 3.30pm
World Cancer Congress
World Cancer Research Fund International
Scottish Cancer Prevention Network
OBESITY PREVENTION AND CONTROL

2. Session aim & outline
Aim: How can the cancer community contribute to the global challenge of obesity prevention and control?
Introduction
Dr Kate Allen, World Cancer Research Fund International, London
Obesity in the clinical setting Prof Annie Anderson, University of Dundee, Scottish Cancer Prevention Network
The LiveLighter campaign Terry Slevin, Cancer Council Australia
Evidence for Mexico’s sugary drinks tax Dr Juan Rivera, National Public Health Institute of Mexico
Campaigning for Mexico’s sugary drinks tax Luis Manuel Encarnación, Nutrition Health Alliance of Mexico
Q & A

3. Obesity statistics
2nd biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking; linked to 11 common cancers
Globally, 481,000 cases of cancer are attributed to overweight/obesity (2012); a fourth
(118,000) could have been prevented in 2012 if BMI levels had remained at 1982 levels
>1.9 billion adults and >41 million children under 5 are overweight or obese; countries
of all income levels affected
Childhood obesity associated with serious diseases and early onset of illness; obese children are likely to be obese in adolescence and adulthood
Environment in which children are conceived and raised is an important determinant of their health > life-course approach necessary
Addressing obesity necessary to work towards reducing the global cancer burden by 2025 (in line with the World Cancer Declaration)

4. Policy response
No silver bullet; policy response must be comprehensive and address:
Food environment
Food system
Behaviour change
Policy coherence across government sectors crucial (in particular between health, education, trade/economic development, agriculture)
Policy response must be adapted to local context
Policies should be evidence-based, but: urgent need for more impact and process evaluations to overcome policy barriers and support the wider uptake of effective policies
Food policy framework & database: