In 2017, UAE launched a comprehensive obesity prevention framework which has helped in the implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, introduction of front-of-pack labelling, development of school canteen guidelines, and strengthened implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Multisectoral coordination by Morocco helped strengthen screening and taxing of sugar-sweetened beverages and facilitated the development of guidelines on food preparation for schools, legislation on front-ofpack labelling, a roadmap for sugar reduction, technical manual for elimination of trans fatty acids in foods, and a draft legislative text to limit trans fatty acids in oils and fats. Recommendations The meeting recommended that Member States: * develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks and measures to regulate food marketing to children;* develop and implement nutrition standards for all foods sold or provided in schools;* develop and integrate nutrition education modules into school curricula;and * integrate nutrition actions into primary health care.
Meeting on childhood obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region1