ABSTRACT
Background Following considerable interest in the relationship between obesity and COVID-19, the UK Government have released a policy paper: 'Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives'.1 This response may be focused on a limited and potentially historical view of overweight and obesity. We consider the complexity of the condition, its determinants, and co-existing conditions.2 Objectives We sought to gain consensus iteratively, using implementation framework thinking, to advocate for the appreciation of a wider, more complete understanding of the existing science behind obesity and the appropriate strategies needed to address it. Results We identified four strategic points and provided recommendations for more comprehensive coverage and greater impact: 1. Improving focus and messaging 2. Understanding drivers of food choice and nutritional status 3. Promoting healthy eating from early years 4. Addressing the complexity of obesity Discussion 1. Effective messaging should be inclusive, collaborative and non-judgemental, promoting co-participation in the development of messages used in public national campaigns.3 2. Higher rates of obesity are observed in socioeconomically deprived groups who rely on food assistance programmes, in which nutritional quality could be improved through involvement of nutrition professionals.4 In order to influence behaviour, basic food literacy and financial management skills could be developed, while subsidies for healthier alternatives may complement taxes on less healthy foods.5 3. Advocating for better education on food science and nutrition from early learning sectors will promote increased awareness early in life.6 This could be augmented by reinstatement of initiatives like the healthy start programme. 4. Human health is multidimensional, therefore focussing on a single-metric risks oversimplifying this complexity and undervaluing the importance of healthy behaviours, even those not directly associated with weight.7 Instead, we should consider positive lifestyle habits, rather than a narrow focus on weight or BMI alone for the individual, informed by existing and accepted scientific findings. Conclusion An integrated systems approach ought to be developed with a multipronged intervention strategy, targeting food production, supply and environments as well as marketing to improve availability of as well as accessibility to more nutrient-rich but less energy-dense foods. These combined with appropriate food education for consumers would enable more consistently healthy food choices.
ABSTRACT
The occurrence of foodborne diseases (FBD) has increased in the last decade as a result of negligence for hygiene. Prevalence of FBD due to lack of education, insufficient health services result in the spread of disease on a larger scale. Personal hygiene, as well as local cleanliness, is the most important aspect of the overall health community. Pandemic like COVID is due to lack of personal hygiene as well as health education. The data published by global bodies like World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the FBD should be controlled by increasing awareness related to personal hygiene and health education. This article reviewed the global occurrence of FBD, preventive measures and solutions for an overall healthy community. The aim of this review is to analyse reports related to foodborne diseases over the globe and suggest guidelines for community health. The scope of this review is in food safety and quality – microbiological and chemical in Food research Journal. Reviews, reports, research data related to foodborne diseases have been analysed and future solutions for building a better health community have been suggested. A total of 74 references including research articles, reviews, press notes, government sites related to foodborne diseases over the globe have been reviewed and data collection has been analysed to suggest better health community guidelines. All the references showed that the occurrence of foodborne diseases are increasing day by day and thus control measure policies have to be implemented worldwide. These include strict government policies, education of food vendors, strict action against those who are not following it, educating the importance of personal as well as community hygiene. These results will surely help to build a better healthy community in future. The data showed that foodborne disease is affecting many populations at any age each year leading to morbidity and mortality. The disease is caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. The common symptoms are diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. Awareness and education related to community health should be spread using advertisements, social media, newspapers, news channels to lower the incidence of foodborne diseases.