Curbing the Obesity Crisis, the Time is Now

The onset of COVID-19 has upended our lives drastically, with the world turning its focus to the health, social and economic consequences of the never-before-seen global pandemic. Inevitably, it has pushed efforts to tackle other pressing health concerns such as obesity into the background as resources shift to focus on curbing the global pandemic and saving lives.

However with recent studies indicating that obesity could potentially worsen the effects of COVID-19 among patients, the fight against obesity has become even more urgent.

According to the World Health Organization, people with pre-existing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes– many of which are linked to obesity – are more vulnerable to become severely ill with the coronavirus.²

Physical and mental health on weight management

Lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus have aggravated this situation as people are no longer able to engage in their normal exercises and physical activities, increasing their susceptibility.

In addition, the reciprocal relationship between physical and mental health has also strained significantly since the onset of COVID-19. Lockdowns not only reduce one’s ability to exercise, but the imposed isolation and physical distancing also result in increased feelings of loneliness. 

Responsible nutrition key to curbing obesity 

It is clear that more can be done in the fight against obesity. All stakeholders have a role to play in this fight. 

Consumers, for instance, are encouraged to actively read nutritional labels to properly educate themselves and monitor their food intake in line with recommended serving sizes.

Food companies also have a significant influence on the value chain and therefore, have a moral responsibility to produce nutritious and health-promoting options for consumption. 

Dairy's role in supporting physical and mental health outcomes 

As a dairy company working with a product that offers opportunities to create high performing food ingredients, Fonterra recognises its role in enabling responsible nutrition choices through the work with food companies globally. 

To achieve this, the company has a team of dieticians and nutritionists dedicated to supporting customers in developing healthier options tailored to evolving needs.

Our broad range of dairy ingredients include specialty ingredients such as; milk phospholipids to help manage the effects of stress, probiotics to support immunity and proteins. 

Specifically, protein is well known for its ability to support weight management by stimulating satiety which reduces the likelihood of over-consumption. Over the years, we have continuously built our expertise on dairy protein, utilising this deep understanding to pioneer new proteins that can be applied to different product formats such as our low-calorie meal replacement bars, ice-creams and brownies, providing end consumers easy access to healthier options.

Explore these resources to learn how protein can help meet your health and wellness goals.

Looking ahead

As the world navigates through COVID-19, discussions around the need to address the growing prevalence of obesity need to continue gaining ground. This will enable a conducive environment for Fonterra and our customers to come together to act and drive collaborations to create a future characterised by healthy eating habits and active lifestyles.

This article has been adapted from an interview with Simon Gilmour published on Food & Beverage Asia in February 2021.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the opinion of the author, not those of Fonterra, and Fonterra is not responsible for any decisions taken in reliance on the same.