Healthy nutrition is critical in the prevention of diet-related risk factors, such as overweight and obesity, and associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Consumption of foods and beverages high in critical nutrients (salt/sodium, sugar, saturated fats and trans fats) has been associated with an increased risk of diet-related risk factors and associated NCDs, as well as all wasting, stunting and deficiency diseases.

Evidence has also demonstrated the importance of the proper practice of breastfeeding and complementary feeding and sustainable healthy food systems.

Through policies, legislation and strategies on healthy nutrition, malnutrition in all its forms can be prevented.

PAHO Response

PAHO provides leadership and technical cooperation to Member States on healthy nutrition, such as breastfeeding and complementary feeding, front-of-package labelling, obesity prevention, salt reduction and elimination of trans-fatty acid.

PAHO promotes, generates and disseminates information on these key topics, evidence-based policies and interventions, and monitors trends.

AREAS OF WORK

BREASTFEEDING AND COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING

FRONT-OF-PACKAGE LABELING

HEALTH TAXES

HEALTHY DIET

VIRTUAL COURSES

REPLACE trans fat virtual course

Self-learning virtual course on the World Health Organization (WHO) REPLACE Trans Fat: An Action Package to Eliminate Industrially Produced Trans-Fatty Acids - 2021
The REPLACE TRANS FAT course was developed with support of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. It is a How-to Guide for landscape assessment and roadmap development for the elimination of industrially produced trans fatty-acids (IP-TFA) by 2023 aligned to the WHO 13th General Programme of Work and PAHO’s Plan of Action.

Curso Mercadeo Social para la Salud Pública

Social Marketing and Public Health

The program consists on series of five consecutive self-learning virtual courses. Ocassionally a tutored modality will be available.

Courses:

This Program was developed with the support of AHA, the Universal Health Coverage Partnership, and the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre on Social Marketing of the University of South Florida (USF).

Virtual Course on Nutritional Recommendations for Healthy Boys and Girls from 0 to 24 months (Spanish only)

The objective of the course is to provide recommendations to health professionals, as well as to mothers, fathers and other members of the household on a healthy diet and to achieve progress in those indicators proposed at the national level to improve the health and optimal development of the population of infants and children. The course was initially developed for Puerto Rico and is currently open to the entire Region of the Americas. The course is avalaible only in Spanish.

Highlights

PAHO Nutrient Profile Model

The Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model is a tool to classify processed and ultra-processed food and drink products that are in excess of critical nutrients such as sugars, sodium, total fat, saturated fat and trans-fatty acids.

It defines when products are high in sugars, fats, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium and it is based on the WHO Population Nutrient Intake Goals which are adjusted according to the energy requirements, not a fixed amount per day.

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Joint Statement on Nutrition in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic Latin America and the Caribbean - February 2021

The COVID-19 crisis poses a threat to all components of the food system, placing at risk the nutritional well-being of the populations of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The crisis threatens food availability and the physical and economic access to quality food, leading to higher consumption of ultra-processed or prepackaged products, and shifting consumption patterns towards less diversified diets. COVID-19 poses a higher risk in people with obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases. Additionally, access to nutrition-related services, including screening, treatment and counseling is also at risk in this crisis.

PAHO has joined with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) to issue a "Joint statement on nutrition in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic – Latin America and the Caribbean", calling upon all governments, civil society organizations, and the donor community to protect and prioritize the nutritional status of all individuals. The Statement sets out five core recommended actions.

Download the statement

Technical meetings and activities

Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Symposium on sustainable food systems for healthy eating, 5-7 September 2017

The "Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Symposium on sustainable food systems for healthy eating", that took place in San Salvador 5-7 September 2017, offered the opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities in shaping sustainable food systems that assure everyone the human right to adequate and healthy food. The Symposium also convened a multisectoral forum to share practical solutions, successful experiences and lessons learned about the process of recreating sustainable, equitable and inclusive systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Documents

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Communication Materials

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Mandates and Strategies

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