Economic growth, globalization and cross-contamination between different cultural models are bringing about a change of lifestyles and eating habits on a worldwide level. One of many consequences this phenomenon has caused is an increase in overweight and obesity in the population, especially in children.

This question is an urgent one and must be taken on efficaciously. According to the BCFN, healthy growth and development of new generations requires an integrated approach involving all the main public and private players in the promotion of these guidelines regarding the relationship between food, health and well-being during childhood and adolescence.

Of central importance is the role of three players who must work together: the family, school and pediatricians. Alongside these, in recent years we have seen that the agrifood industry has an important role in contributing with proposals and product lines that are coherent with the recommendations regarding correct nutritional practices and lifestyles in children and adolescents, and in actively promoting their adoption through effective and suitable advertising.

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John T Cook

Research Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator at the Children’s HealthWatch in Boston. His research interests include examining the effects of hunger, food security and energy security on children’s health and well-being and ways to increase access to affordable, healthy food.... »

Robert H Lustig

Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology of the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF), where he is also Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program.... »

Claudio Maffeis

Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Verona. He teaches in a number of university institutes and schools of specialization. He is Director of the Diabetology, Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Unit of the ULSS 20 and the University of Verona.... »

Alex Thomson

is anchor and correspondent of Channel 4 News, the only British prime time current affairs program.... »