Let’s take real action for obesity, together

The ISA proudly supports World Obesity Day 2022

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With hundreds of million people around the world currently living with obesity, it is more important than ever to support World Obesity Day and the call for everyone to act now. Joining forces with obesity and health-related organisations around the world, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) is proud to renew its support to this key awareness day.

Obesity remains a global problem, and it affects us all1:

  • 800 million people are living with obesity and millions more are at risk;
  • Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge too and is expected to increase by a further 60% over the next decade, reaching 250 million by 2030;
  • Obesity is the getaway to many diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers;
  • Importantly also, in the context of the pandemic the world has been facing for the past two years, people living with obesity are twice as likely to be hospitalised if tested positive for COVID-19.

Anne-Sophie Joly, President of CNAO2, the French association for people living with obesity, highlights that: “Although obesity affects a large part of the global population, today it is still widely unknown. Patients living with obesity need the support from everyone to aspire to a better future: better prevention, information and education around obesity for all.”

Today, we know that the root causes of obesity are complex and multi-factorial, and as a consequence, the solutions are not straight-forward. Still, while no single act can fix the obesity crisis, creating a healthier food environment is a step forward.

Together, we can make a difference in obesity management
In line with this year’s World Obesity Day theme, “Everybody needs to act” now, and together, to spread the word about obesity prevention and management. This is why for this year’s campaign, the ISA is honoured to be partnering with renowned obesity and health-related organisations on the development of its digital campaign, whom include: CNAO and ADEXO3, respectively the French and the Portuguese associations for people living with obesity, as well as the Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity (HMAO). Our campaign has also received the valuable support from the Brazilian diabetes association4 (ANAD), the Brazilian Association of Diabetes Educators5 (ANBED), the Colombian Diabetology Federation6 (FDC), and the Brazilian Federation of Diabetes’ Organisations7 (FENAD).

With all the above in mind, the ISA is proud to release its campaign for World Obesity Day 2022, which includes:

  • An animated and inspiring video that aims to help raise awareness on obesity facts and on the importance of providing and receiving the right support, as well as on the role of low/no calorie sweeteners in a healthier food environment. Watch our video below or by clicking here.
  • Exclusive interviews with our partners who tell us more about the importance of World Obesity Day and of ensuring better prevention, care and support for all. These insightful interviews are available as follows:
  • Sweet and healthy recipes: Low/no calorie sweeteners are food ingredients that taste sweet and are used in place of sugars in drinks, foods and recipes at home. They can help us adapt traditional recipes while still enjoying great-tasting, healthy meals with low or no sugars and fewer calories. Get inspired already with ISA sweet and healthy recipes with low/no calorie sweeteners, available below:

Everyone, all around the world, and in any body size, should have access and be able to enjoy healthy, safe and tasteful foods and meals to live healthier, happier and longer lives!

Engage in the conversation about World Obesity Day 2022 by using #ISA4WOD, #WorldObesityDay and #EverybodyNeedsToAct.

For more information on low/no calorie sweeteners, please visit http://www.sweeteners.org/ or contact the ISA Secretariat by reaching info@sweeteners.org.

This press release is also available on ISA website here: https://www.sweeteners.org/lets-take-real-action-for-obesity-together/

1 https://www.worldobesityday.org/
2 Collectif National des Associations d’Obèses
3 Associação de Doentes Obesos e Ex-obesos de Portugal
4 Associação Nacional de Atenção ao Diabetes
5 Associação Nacional Brasileira de Educadores em Diabetes
6 Federación Diabetológica Colombiana
7 Federação Nacional de Associações e Entitades de Diabetes

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37a90081-1247-4f32-8c0a-1f31b9b7c15a

UN leaders condemn blast inside a mosque in Peshawar

UN leaders have strongly condemned horrific Peshawer bomb blast and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

In a tweet, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said houses of worship should be havens not targets.

Earlier, Guterres also telephoned Pakistan's UN Ambassador, Munir Akram and expressed deep condolences over the tragic terrorist attack.

In a separate statement, High Representative for the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Ãngel Moratinos also denounced intolerable and unjustifiable attack in strongest terms.

Meanwhile, the Ukraine Embassy expressed its heartfelt condolences with the families of Peshawar attack.

In a press statement, Ambassador of Ukraine to State Secretary of Pakistan, Olena Bordilovska said terrorism shall never be tolerated in any forms and manifestations in any country in any place of the Globe.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Information Minister stresses for consensus to tackle the menace of extremism

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has stressed for consensus to tackle the menace of extremism.

In a tweet today [Saturday], he said the cooperation of the parliament and the judiciary is essential in taking major steps against extremism.

Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said the biggest reason behind terrorism is extremism which is used by the enemy as a weapon. He said the reason behind extremism is that the pulpit, eduational institutions and the police stations have not fulfilled their responsibilities.

Meanwhile, addressing an interactive learning workshop in Lahore on Saturday, Information Minister said technological revolution needs to be recognized in journalism.

Chaudhary Fawad said digital media has immense importance and information centers are being set up in the country to impart training to people in this regard.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President lauds Pak Navy for continuously foiling enemies’ designs

President Dr Arif Alvi has lauded Pakistan Navy for its vigilance and competence to defend the maritime frontiers of country despite meagre resources.

In a tweet, the President said they were alert and should remain alert to defeat all designs of country’s enemies.

He said Pak Navy had put the intruders to shame and made the whole nation proud.

Source: Radio Pakistan

FATF acknowledges Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable AML/CFT frameworks

Financial Action Task Force has recognized Pakistan's continuing commitment to a sustainable and robust anti money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism frameworks.

Its plenary meetings was held in hybrid format. Pakistani delegation was led by Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar.

Pakistan presented its case in an effetive manner and also reaffirmed its political commitment to continue with the efforts to complete the action plans.

As regards 2018 Action Plan, Pakistan has already completed twenty six of the twenty seven Action Plan items while there was recognition by the FATF that Pakistan has made significant progress towards addressing the last remaining action item.

The FATF encouraged Pakistan to continue to make progress to address as soon as possible the remaining one item.

As regards 2021 Action Plan, Pakistan has made swift progress. In just two plenary cycles, Pakistan has completed six out of seven action items.

A statement issued by the Finance Ministry reiterated Pakistan's commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure completion of remaining two Action Plan Items during the upcoming FATF plenary cycle to become eligible for exiting from the grey list.

Meanwhile in his tweets, Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said despite challenges, Pakistan completion of FATF's technical parameters shall be acknowledged soon.

The Minister expressed Pakistan's unwavering commitment against money laundering and terror financing. He said the country has waged a war on these activities not just for global compliance but first and foremost for its own sake.

Source: Radio Pakistan