Prevention of Childhood Obesity to be discussed at Summit of the Spouses of European Leaders in Zagreb, at which Queen Letizia of Spain will also Participate

Childhood obesity is one of the most daunting present-day public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization, in Europe one in three children lives with overweight or obesity, and most adults live with the same condition. Childhood obesity continues into adulthood and puts people at risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), one of the leading causes of premature death and disability. Because not enough has been done to solve the problem of childhood obesity, it is a problem that requires urgent attention.

With this goal in mind, the Summit of the Spouses of European Leaders on the topic of childhood obesity prevention will be held in Zagreb on Wednesday. It should lay the groundwork for coordinated action in order to finally halt the rise in childhood obesity. The Summit is being organized by the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It will be hosted by the Spouse of the Croatian President Sanja Musić Milanović and the Executive Director of the WHO European Region Robb Butler.

The Summit should, among other things, make the prevention of childhood obesity a priority and facilitate debate among key stakeholders on the required actions for the prevention of childhood obesity, with a special emphasis on promoting and creating healthy environments where children have access to a healthier diet and physical activity. It is expected that the Zagreb Declaration will be adopted at the Summit, calling for the establishment of the new WHO European Centre on the Prevention of Childhood Obesity.

Remarks in the introductory part of the Summit will be given by the Spouse of the President of the Republic of Croatia Sanja Musić Milanović, Executive Director of the WHO European Region Robb Butler, Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, Minister of Health of the Republic of Croatia Vili Beroš and Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević.