Background
Across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, our diets are changing rapidly. Globalization has made processed foods, which often do not align with healthy diets, easier to find, more affordable and more heavily marketed than ever before. Unfortunately, many of these products are often high in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, salts and free sugars, contributing to the burden of all forms of malnutrition, including diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The impact of these dietary changes is staggering. Sugars, in particular, are empty calories and are often hidden in processed foods and beverages. Over the last 20 years, the health burden linked to sugary drinks has nearly tripled, reaching 52.3 disability-adjusted life years per 100 000 in 2023.
Excessive sugar is a leading cause of obesity, diabetes, and – most notably – oral diseases. Today, oral diseases affect over 960 million individuals in the Western Pacific Region. Tooth decay is the most common issue, especially for children. Untreated dental caries is associated with pain, infection, difficulties in eating and sleeping, impaired growth, missed school days and reduced well-being.
This webinar will connect the dots between sugar consumption and oral health using the latest regional data and highlight strategies and country case studies to support Member States to take stronger action in reducing sugar intake.
This webinar aligns with global nutrition and diet-related NCD targets (WHA 65.6, WHA 66.10) and related extensions (WHA78.24, WHA72(11)), along with the Western Pacific Regional Implementation Plan for the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health (WPR/RC73.R3). By promoting evidence-based discussions and facilitating the exchange of country experiences, the webinar aims to increase awareness of the risks associated with high intake of free sugars and strengthen multisectoral action towards healthier diets and improved oral health across the Region.
Moderator: Ms Xi Yin, Nutrition and Food Safety Acting Coordinator, Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC), WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Presentations:
- Sugar intake and oral health: An overview of evidence
- Synergistic strategies: Multisectoral actions to accelerate progress in tackling sugar intakes and oral diseases
- Country case studies in advancing sugar reduction actions
Organizer: Co-led by DPC’s Nutrition and Food Safety and Noncommunicable Diseases units
Speakers:
- Ms Roslinda @ Zakiah bt. Kangan, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Ms Priscilla Totorea Hiele, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands
- Dr Sisilia Fusi Fifita, Ministry of Health, Tonga
- Dr Hyewon Lee, Seoul National University
- Professor Shuguo Zheng, Peking University – WHO Collaborating Centre for the Research and Training in Preventive Dentistry, China
- Ms Xi Yin, Dr Yuriko Harada and Dr Ng See Hoe, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
