When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health. However, increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift healthy food nearby dietary patterns. However, the basic principles of what constitutes a healthy diet remain the same.

Free sugars are all sugars added to foods or drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates. It also reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing NCDs later in life. Infants should be breastfed exclusively during the first 6 months of life. Infants should be breastfed continuously until 2 years of age and beyond. From 6 months of age, breast milk should be complemented with a variety of adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods. Salt and sugars should not be added to complementary foods. Reducing salt intake to the recommended level of less than 5 g per day could prevent 1.

People are often unaware of the amount of salt they consume. Some food manufacturers are reformulating recipes to reduce the sodium content of their products, and people should be encouraged to check nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in a product before purchasing or consuming it. Potassium can mitigate the negative effects of elevated sodium consumption on blood pressure. Intake of potassium can be increased by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables. Excess calories from foods and drinks high in free sugars also contribute to unhealthy weight gain, which can lead to overweight and obesity. Governments have a central role in creating a healthy food environment that enables people to adopt and maintain healthy dietary practices. The strategy called on governments, WHO, international partners, the private sector and civil society to take action at global, regional and local levels to support healthy diets and physical activity.

These recommendations guide countries in designing new policies and improving existing ones to reduce the impact on children of the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children. In 2013, the Health Assembly agreed to nine global voluntary targets for the prevention and control of NCDs. Member States, WHO and other United Nations agencies to achieve the targets. With many countries now seeing a rapid rise in obesity among infants and children, in May 2014 WHO set up the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. WHO is helping countries to implement the commitments made at ICN2. GPW13 as part of WHO’s priority actions to achieve the aims of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Bunn D, Brown T, Summerbell CD, Skeaff CM.