UN food agency warns of diet-related illness in Europe, Central Asia
Baku, April 19 (AZERTAC) -- The UN food agency is warning that obesity and diet-related illnesses could emerge as major challenges for Europe and Central Asia, while hunger will only be a minor problem, a UN spokesman told reporters here Wednesday.
"By 2030, undernourishment will only be a minor problem in Europe and Central Asia, but obesity and diet-related illnesses like heart disease could emerge as major challenges for public policy," deputy UN spokesman, Eduardo del Buey, said at the daily news briefing, citing a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO issued the report on the eve of a regional conference set to begin in Azerbaijan, del Buey said.
Hunger currently affects less than five percent of the population in most of the region but remains a significant concern in large parts of the Caucasus and Central Asia, according to a report to be presented at FAO's bi-annual Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia.
The report predicts that the percentage of people experiencing hunger in the Caucasus and Central Asia will drop from nine to two percent by 2030 and then to one percent by 2050.
The report states that hunger affects less than five percent of the population in most of the region, while diets that previously consisted of high cereal are now shifting toward a more meat and dairy intake, increasing the number of cases of obesity, and non- communicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. "These increased risk levels will place greater pressure on healthcare facilities in the poorer countries of Central Asia, than in the European Union," said del Buey.
According to the report, one of the priorities for the FAO is to alleviate food insecurity, and malnutrition in the region.
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