BANGKOK, Mar 2 (NNN-TNA) – Youth and celebrities from eight countries, took part in a UNICEF-supported campaign in Bangkok this week, to promote the need for healthier food environments in the Asia-Pacific.
The “Fix My Food” campaign is a two-day co-creation workshop, brainstorming ideas and identifying potential partners, to assist in the campaign’s rollout in their respective countries.
Traditional healthy fresh food diets are being replaced by highly processed and unhealthy junk food and drinks, “resulting in poor diets that have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of children in the region,” Roland Kupka, regional nutrition adviser for UNICEF East Asia and Pacific office, said.
More than one in three adolescents in the region drink at least one sugary drink a day, while over half consume fast food once or more a week, and less than half are eating enough fruit and vegetables every day, according to UNICEF.
UNICEF is working closely with governments and partners, to introduce policies and legislation to curb the increase of the sale and the marketing of unhealthy food and drink in the region.
With youth leading the campaign, and support from celebrities and influencers, UNICEF hopes to create awareness about the impact of the changing food environment, on the lives of girls and boys and the urgent need for governments, the private sector and civil society to take collective action to build a healthier food environment across the region.
This initiative will be implemented in the eight participating countries, China, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, and supported by UNICEF country offices and partners, as part of UNICEF’s work to mobilise and empower young people to take action.
“Children’s diets influence both their physical and mental health, and all sectors of society need to collectively build a child-friendly food environment, and promote a sustainable food system,” said Meng Qianshan, a nutrition educator from Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.– NNN-TNA
