CAPPA Advocates Stricter Policies for Obesity Prevention

On the occasion of World Obesity Day, CAPPA (Consumer Advocacy for the Protection of the Public Against Unhealthy Foods and Beverages) issued a warning regarding the dangers of junk food and called for stricter policies to address the rising obesity crisis in Nigeria. In a press statement signed by media communications officer Robert Egb, CAPPA highlighted that nearly half of the world's population, approximately 4 billion people, is projected to be overweight or obese by 2035.

The organization noted that Nigeria is not exempt from this trend, with 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above classified as overweight and 12 million as obese. CAPPA criticized the unregulated market for unhealthy foods, particularly targeting children through aggressive advertising.

They urged the government to implement policies such as a 50% increase in the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and mandatory front-pack labeling to inform consumers about high sugar, salt, and unhealthy fat content in products. CAPPA also called for robust national salt reduction regulations to combat hypertension and related health risks.