Nutrition

A balanced and varied diet, composed of a wide range of nutritious and tasty foods, adds years to life and life to years. Nevertheless, the burden of disease associated with poor nutrition continues to grow in the WHO European Region. Unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity contribute to a large proportion of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, which together are the main killers in the Region. National surveys in most countries indicate excessive consumption of energy, saturated fat, trans fats, sugar and salt; as well as low consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains; and increasing numbers of people with obesity – all of which not only shorten life expectancy, but also harm the quality of life. Simultaneously, in some countries and among some vulnerable groups, undernutrition remains a concern.

New WHO data on childhood obesity in Kazakhstan: higher physical activity levels but more screen time 15-04-2022

Relative to other countries in the WHO European Region, Kazakhstan has low levels of childhood overweight and obesity. However, recent WHO surveillance data show that these levels may be increasing, especially among boys. This new finding formed the basis of the new factsheet “Results of surveillance of childhood obesity, nutrition and physical activity 2020”, prepared by WHO and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health.