Brazil has become the first country to make commitments as part of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016–2025.
Brazil’s 3 commitments, to be achieved by 2019, are as follows:
• Stop the growth of the adult obesity rate (currently at 20.8%)
• Reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adults by at least 30%
• Increase the proportion of adults who regularly consume fruits and vegetables by at least 17.8%
Brazil outlined specific policy measures it will adopt to achieve these goals. These include fiscal measures (tax reductions, subsidies) to lower the price of fresh foods, microcredit loans for family farmers, and cash transfers to poor families so they can purchase fresh products.
The government also committed to providing healthier meals and nutritional education for children in public schools, and to increasing public procurement of food from family farmers. They will develop and distribute new educational materials on healthy diets for the population, teachers, and health professionals.
They will reduce the amount of salt and sugars in processed foods, and review food labeling regulations so that added sugars are declared on the front of the packaging. They will regulate the promotion of foods and beverages targeted at children, and restrict the sales and advertising of processed foods in health and education facilities and public agencies.
They will increase the promotion of breastfeeding through the country’s primary health care clinics, increase the number of facilities for physical activity, and improve access to care for overweight or obese individuals.
Currently, non-communicable diseases are responsible for more than 70% of deaths in Brazil. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.
In April 2016, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2016–2025 the Decade of Action on Nutrition. Led by WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Nutrition Decade is a framework for making commitments, tracking progress, and ensuring mutual accountability in line with global nutrition goals.