This SADC Strategy and Implementation Plan on the Prevention of Overweight and Obesity (2024–2030) outlines a regional response to the rapidly rising burden of overweight and obesity across all 16 Member States. The strategy’s overarching objective is to create health-promoting environments and empower communities to make informed nutrition and physical-activity choices. It identifies the key drivers of obesity—including unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, urbanisation, trade liberalisation, and weak policy environments—and emphasises the economic and health consequences, such as escalating non-communicable diseases and reduced workforce productivity. The document also underscores the triple burden of malnutrition affecting the region and the urgent need for harmonised policy action. To address these challenges, the strategy proposes five priority objectives: (1) securing Member State commitment; (2) strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks; (3) building stakeholder capacity; (4) supporting countries to develop national obesity roadmaps; and (5) establishing a regional surveillance system. Priority actions include implementing fiscal measures such as sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, introducing front-of-pack nutrition labelling, regulating food marketing to children, reformulating foods, improving school and public-sector food environments, and promoting physical activity. A multisectoral framework involving health, education, finance, agriculture, urban planning, and civil society is central to coordinated action.
2024-01-01