RESUMO
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) with high levels of undernutrition and a growing burden of overweight/obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Undernourishment in sub-Saharan Africa increased between 2010 and 2016. Although the prevalence of chronic undernutrition is decreasing, the number of stunted children under 5 years of age is increasing due to population growth. Meanwhile, overweight/obesity is increasing in all age groups, with girls and women being more affected than boys and men. It is increasingly recognized that the drivers of the DBM originate outside the health sector and operate across national and regional boundaries. Largely unregulated marketing of cheap processed foods and nonalcoholic beverages as well as lifestyle changes are driving consumption of unhealthy diets in the African region. Progress toward the goal of ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030 requires intensified efforts to reduce undernutrition and focused action on the reduction of obesity and diet-related NCDs. The World Health Organization is developing a strategic plan to guide governments and development partners in tackling all forms of malnutrition through strengthened policies, improved service delivery, and better use of data. It is only through coordinated and complementary efforts that strides can be made to reduce the DBM.
Assuntos
Política de Saúde , Promoção da Saúde/organização & administração , Desnutrição/epidemiologia , Hipernutrição/epidemiologia , Determinantes Sociais da Saúde , Adolescente , Adulto , África Subsaariana/epidemiologia , Distribuição por Idade , Aleitamento Materno , Criança , Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/prevenção & controle , Pré-Escolar , Atenção à Saúde , Países em Desenvolvimento , Dieta , Feminino , Transtornos da Nutrição Fetal/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Nutrição Fetal/prevenção & controle , Transtornos do Crescimento/epidemiologia , Transtornos do Crescimento/etiologia , Transtornos do Crescimento/prevenção & controle , Política de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Humanos , Lactente , Fórmulas Infantis/legislação & jurisprudência , Recém-Nascido , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Desnutrição/prevenção & controle , Morbidade/tendências , Hipernutrição/prevenção & controle , Obesidade Infantil/epidemiologia , Obesidade Infantil/prevenção & controle , Fatores de Risco , Distribuição por Sexo , Organização Mundial da SaúdeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hunger, food insecurity, stunting, anemia, overweight, and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) may coexist in the same person, household, and community in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is an important cause of disability and premature death, which could be addressed with comprehensive policies such as the Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents. This paper summarizes the main policies and actions aimed to prevent undernutrition and obesity. SUMMARY: Several countries are implementing the Plan of Action, Caribbean Public Health Agency is actively supporting Ministries of Health, Education, and Sport to develop school nutrition policies and strategies to create health-promoting environments at school and in their surrounding communities. Chile is implementing the comprehensive child protection system "Chile Crece Contigo" that integrates health, social development, and educational activities to optimize growth and childhood cognitive-motor development. Brazil is implementing policies and plans to commit to international targets regarding food and nutrition security, NCDs and their risk factors. Key Messages: The DBM exists in the Americas and contributes to disability and premature death. The Region is making progress implementing policies and actions addressing the DBM. However, stronger political will and leadership are needed to enact legislation and policies that create and support enabling -environments.