To Quell Childhood Obesity: The Pacific Ending Childhood Obesity Network’s Response

Abstract

The need to accelerate collective and concerted action to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and childhood obesity is particularly relevant in the Pacific context. In October 2017, the country-driven Pacific Ending Childhood Obesity Network (Pacific ECHO) was established1, and all twenty-two Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) became members of the Network. Several regional and international plans and strategies have outlined key proven populations-based measures to address this epidemic including the WHO Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO) [1], the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020 [2], the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition 2012 [3] and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016-2025 [4].