Salt intake reduction strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Background: The high burden of noncommunicable diseases [NCDs], particularly cardiovascular diseases [CVDs], in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region requires an immediate public health attention. The World Health Organization [WHO] has recommended salt reduction as a “best buy”, recognizing it as one of the most cost–effective approaches in preventing NCDs and reducing CVDs and medical costs.

Aims: In the context of the global target to reduce salt intake by 30% by 2025, the objective of this review is to present an up-to-date overview of the current salt reduction initiatives in the Region by highlighting regional and national policies, strategies, and activities that aim at characterizing and/or reducing the intakes of dietary salt.

Methods: This review details the WHO policies and strategies which address salt reduction in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Results: The high intake levels of sodium in the countries of the Region are emphasized. The policies and strategies in place to address this situation are described, however, there is a need for more data on intake levels.

Conclusions: There are a number of salt reduction initiatives currently being undertaken in the countries of the Region. The WHO should continue to play a key role in providing evidence-based tools for the planning, implementation, and surveillance of national salt reduction initiatives

Review of the nutrition situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

This situation analysis for the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region focuses on specific nutrition indicators, namely low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, under- and overnutrition [anthropometric indicators] and anaemia. The regional average prevalence of low birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding was estimated at 19.31% and 29.3%, respectively. Stunting, wasting and underweight had an average prevalence of 28%, 8.69% and 18%, respectively. Afghanistan, Djibouti, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen had the highest burden of stunting [> 30%]. Prevalence of anaemia ranged from 7.4% to 88% in children aged < 5 years and from 19.9% to 63% in women of childbearing age. Of concern is the increasing trend in overweight and obesity among adults and children. Average prevalence of overweight and obesity was 27% and 24% in adults and 16.5% and 4.8% in school-aged children, respectively. The highest levels of obesity were reported from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This review highlights the double burden of malnutrition in countries of the Region and calls for the prioritization of policies aimed at improving the population's nutritional status