Covenant
Overweight is an explosively growing problem worldwide. The Netherlands has 40% of adults who are overweight and 10% who are obese. Among the child population, 13% of boys and 14% of girls are overweight. Overweight is primarily a matter for the individual.
The cause of overweight at individual level boils down to a disturbed energy balance between the intake of energy (through food) and the consumption of energy (through physical exercise). But overweight is also a problem for society. In practice, it is not simple for the individual to achieve this energy balance. This is because we are exposed to a multiplicity of influences, driven by a multiplicity of factors. These factors are completely interwoven with the way today's society is organised and functions and exerts a different kind of influence on every individual. This makes the cause of overweight a problem for society as a whole.
Covenant on Overweight and Obesity
In its prevention policy memorandum entitled "Living Healthy Longer 2004-2007", the Dutch Cabinet has set itself the goal of stopping the increasing incidence of overweight in the Netherlands and reversing the trend among children. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has taken the first step towards tackling the problem together with partners in the community. To formalise these efforts, the parties signed the Covenant on Overweight and Obesity on January 27, 2005.
• English text - Covenant on overweight and obesity [
pdf-97kB]
Action Plan
The parties agreed in the covenant to work together in the fight against overweight. One of the arrangements they agreed was to produce a joint action plan focused on restoring the balance between eating and physical exercise. The parties have now fulfilled this agreement. The overarching action plan is based on the action plans of all of the partners. The activities being undertaken are in such fields as portion sizes, advertising, marketing, product composition, labelling, product ranges in canteens and promotion of physical exercise. Through this joint approach, the partners are showing that overweight is an important issue about which something must be done.
The covenant spells out the intention of the partners to collaborate in combating overweight. The action plan has concretised both the ambition and the approach. All partners have set to work on undertaking the defined activities, based on their own particular contribution and their joint cooperation. The action plan shows what is necessary to encourage an individual to adopt a healthy balance between eating and physical exercise.
• Action Plan: Striking the Right Energy Balance [pdf-238kB]
Looking ahead
The action plan provides a basis for a joint approach. The plan makes clear what the partners want to achieve and which targeted activities they will undertake for that purpose. The partners are now embarking on a follow-up track. The follow-up trac will firm up the obligations and responsibilities of the partners. They will additionally define in precise terms who will do what, how activities will be financed, how results will be measured and how implementation of the plan will be supported.
Some of the activities have already been mentioned above. They are now underway. The initial activities and results are already noticeable and visible. You can find examples under projects.
The door is still open to new participants at this stage. Organisations that wish to join the fight against overweight can contact the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. Based on the action plan, new partners will be approached proactively. The ten signatories will decide jointly on the admission of new entrants.