La Commission s'attaque au problème de l'obésité

Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou: "The rise in obesity is a Europe-wide problem which requires a coordinated Europe-wide approach if we are to contain and reverse this trend. More than 400,000 children are estimated to become overweight every year, and today’s overweight teenagers are tomorrow’s heart attack or diabetes victims. The Commission’s Green Paper aims to stimulate discussion about effective initiatives to promote healthy diets and physical activity, so best practice can be replicated across Europe. Apart from the health benefits and cost savings to be made from tackling obesity, a coordinated European approach will also ensure that the single market is not undermined by the emergence of a patchwork of uncoordinated national measures."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 1 billion people are overweight globally, a figure that will increase to 1.5 billion in 10 years if action is not taken. 

Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA): "Any action by the industry has to be proportionate, solidly supported by scientific research, and respectful of European consumers, so that they are truly able to make educated lifestyle choices. Ultimately, we are all aware that diet and lifestyles are matter of personal or parental choice. Our collective responsibility lies with providing consumers and parents with the right information so they can make informed choices," said the CIAA President Jean Martin.

According to Mary K. Engle from the Unites States Federal Bureau of Consumer Protection, the US obesity rates are much higher among some racial and ethnic minority populations in the US.