EPODE International Network (EIN), the world’s largest obesity and NCDs prevention network, in partnership with the PRAIS Foundation – SETS Movement, holds the first European Obesity Forum, in Bucharest from 16th to 18th October 2013. This event is an exceptional opportunity for the CBPs from all over Europe and their multi-stakeholder supporters to share best practices, propose solutions and make commitments on obesity and its related issues. This event is a call to action for Europe on obesity and NCD prevention.
Obesity Prevention: At the Heart of the Event
15 Community-Based Programmes (CBPs) from across Europe and members of the EPODE International Network (EIN) attend the European Obesity Forum, together with leading scientific, political and public private stakeholders committed to obesity prevention. The first two days are dedicated to specific working sessions for EIN members, leading up to a plenary conference on the 18th entitled, “Obesity prevention in the community: Effective Means And Tools For Change”. This conference gathers international leading experts, more than 70 CBP professionals, policy makers, political and corporate representatives providing the opportunity to learn from expert examples of how to use the environment in preventing obesity. Furthermore, it allows the existing and prospective member programmes to take part in a reflection on the role of the CBP in reducing health inequalities, while addressing issues of sustainability and tackling the question of Public-Private Partnerships with an expert led roundtable.
Promising results: 10% to 20% decrease in obesity prevalence[1]
Epode International Network (EIN), the world’s largest obesity prevention network, aims to help prevent overweight, obesity and related non-communicable diseases. Its mission is to support Community-Based Programmes to reduce childhood obesity prevalence through sustainable strategies.
The EPODE Methodology reaches 34 programmes in more than 20 countries, involves more than 20 million people and has a real impact on the prevalence of obesity across the globe. The added value of the methodology is based on strong scientific contribution, evaluation and evidence-based results, institutional and political endorsement, as well as social marketing techniques and sustainable resources.
[1] Between 2005 and 2010 there was a decrease of almost 10% in the prevalence of obesity in EPODE France pilot towns. More recently in Belgium, a study demonstrated that the Community Based Programme, “VIASANO” succeeded in reducing the prevalence of overweight by 22% in its pilot towns, demonstrating a promising trend for the EIN member programmes.
“The EPODE methodology has proven to be effective as between 2005 and 2010 in EPODE France pilot towns, there was a decrease of almost 10% of the prevalence of obesity. Furthermore, in Belgium, the Community-Based Programme, “Viasano” has demonstrated outstanding results, with a reduction of 22% in the prevalence of overweight between 2008 and 2010 in its pilot towns”, says Dr Jean-Michel Borys, EIN General Secretary.
SETS, the Romanian Community Based Programme: a success story!
The national movement “I’m living healthy, too!” – SETS was initiated in March 2011 by PRAIS Foundation for a period of 5 years. It aims at preventing juvenile obesity among children aged up to 12 years and promoting a healthy lifestyle among the Romanian families, in a holistic approach: mind, body and spirit. SETS has also created a strong national alliance of governmental institutions, sports and medical organisations, private partners as well as 20 Ambassadors that support the social cause. To date 79,529 pupils in the primary cycle from 252 Bucharest schools, Roman and Cluj-Napoca, 3,000 educators, over 160,000 parents, and 2 million – public at large, have had access to information about the benefits of balanced nutrition, daily physical activities, sports in general, proper hygiene and positive moral values. Since its launch until today, 240 SETS Sport and Entertainment Clubs have been established, gathering 9,766 members, carrying out 3,531 activities. 200 students from the National University of Physical Education and Sport (UNEFS) voluntarily delivered 145 open lessons, sports demonstrations; thus becoming true role-models for the pupils. Large scale social marketing campaigns touching national audiences fulfilled the impact of yearly SETS interventions.
“As an active member of EIN, and organizing partner of the Forum, we believe in the measurable impact of our programs around the world, developed under same methodologies, keeping also the diversity and the specific of each country. We stand for the NCD prevention policies, and the extension of our network on the basis of public – private partnerships. Sharing our best practices, having an ethical conduct, we will build together a strong global alliance for obesity prevention”, said Silvia Bucur PRAIS Foundation President.
[1] Between 2005 and 2010 there was a decrease of almost 10% in the prevalence of obesity in EPODE France pilot towns. More recently in Belgium, a study demonstrated that the Community Based Programme, “VIASANO” succeeded in reducing the prevalence of overweight by 22% in its pilot towns, demonstrating a promising trend for the EIN member programmes.