1748P - Tackling childhood obesity epidemic on southern Europe through soft drink advertisement policies: Should oncology societies have a say?

Background

Obesity has been recognised as one of the main risk factors for non- communicable diseases including cancer. WHO European report suggests that obesity affects 30% of children in Europe. Unhealthy diet is one of the most important determinants of childhood obesity, a condition that has become very prevalent in the south of Europe. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) influence childhood obesity and food advertisement is one of the strongest determinants of SSB consumption.

Methods

A multidisciplinary panel of clinicians from the South of Europe (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal) critically reviewed the available legislation and recommendations on SSB advertisements, in native language. The website of relevant national societies (Cardiovascular, Diabetic, Oncology, Paediatric and Stroke) was reviewed. Herein we present the recommendations from Oncology national societies.

Results

The countries in study have national legislations on SSB advertisements following EU directives with Spain having the most comprehensive regulatory framework. None of the oncology societies had recommendations on SSB consumption from children. The Spanish oncology society (SEOM) recognised obesity as risk factor for developing cancer and a close collaboration with the Spanish Association for the study of obesity is suggested. The Portuguese Society of Oncology (SPO) provides general guidance on the role of food and nutrition in cancer development. In Greece and Cyprus sporadic publications from the oncology society (HeSMO) on the preventive role of diet was noticed with no concrete guidance. Italian Oncology society (AIOM) has published on the role of nutritional support for cancer patients but the preventive role of healthy diet on childhood obesity is not available. European society of Medical Oncology links to IARC prevention strategies in the society website.

Conclusions

Recommendations on healthy diet to tackle childhood obesity, including SSB advertisement, from national medical societies in South Europe is fragmented. Oncology societies should join forces with other medical societies to increase awareness of childhood obesity and implement measures to address the phenomenon.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.