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World days against obesity: Arcom raises awareness raising in the audiovisual media
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Arcom encourages the audiovisual media to encourage good behavior, to show programmes promoting healthy lifestyle, to inform the general public and to propose solutions.
Every year since 2010, Arcom has partnered the "World days to fight obesity". In 2023, this communication campaign takes place from March 2 to 4. It raises awareness among the general public of the many risks associated with this disease, and proposes concrete solutions to fight agains it (healthy and sustainable diet, regular physical activity, etc.).
Overweight and obesity are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat that can be detrimental to health.
Overweight and obesity are defined as of the body mass index (or BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight by their height squared. For adults, the WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows:
- overweight: BMI equal to or greater than 25 ;
- obesity is defined as BMI equal to or greater than 30.
For children, age must be taken into account when defining overweight and obesity.
Overweight and obesity are mainly due to an excessively rich diet and low levels of physical activity. Psychological and genetic factors, as well as chronic illnesses, can also play a role.
47 % of French adults are overweight.
Men are more often overweight than women (36.9% vs. 23.9%). 17 % of people are obese: 17.4 % of women, 16.7 % of men.
Obesity among 18-24 year-olds has multiplied by more than 4, and by almost 3 among 25-34 year-olds.
Find out more about obesity in France.
Overweight and obese people have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as :
- cardiovascular disease ;
- diabetes
- musculoskeletal disorders, in particular osteoarthritis ;
- certain cancers.
In addition to physical complications, obesity can also be a source of psychological problems. Overweight people sometimes suffer from low self-esteem and discrimination.
Arcom mobilizes the audiovisual media
Audiovisual media play an essential role in raising awareness among audiences, especially youngsters, of the importance of a balanced diet, regular physical activity and restful sleep.
Arcom ensures that the development of the audiovisual industry is accompanied by a high level of protection for the environment and public health. It mobilizes the audiovisual media to inform the general public about subjects of general interest, such as health alerts issued by the Ministry of Health (influenza, heatwaves, etc.), food, the fight agains smoking, etc. The Authority is careful to ensure that television and radio do not incite dangerous behavior for health.
Throughout the year, Arcom encourages the audiovisual media to encourage good behavior, to show programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle, to inform the general public and to propose solutions.
Food charter commitments for programs and advertisements
Arcom has signed a food charter with audiovisuel and online advertising operators to encourage healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs and advertising. The aim of the charter is to effectively reduce children's exposure to audiovisual commercial communications relating to foodstuffs or beverages containing nutrients or substances with a nutritional or physiological effect (notably fats, trans-fatty acids, salt or sodium and sugars).
Charter to promote healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs and advertising
This Charter to promote healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs and advertising follows on from the Charter to promote healthy eating and physical activity in television programs and advertising. It is applicable from February 1, 2020 for a period of five years.
The Food Charter initiative is based on the involvement and accountability of all the players concerned, first and foremost TV channels, radio stations, advertising agencies, producers and advertisers. Arcom ensures that all signatories respect their commitments.
The signatories have agreed to abide by the charter's commitments, which include the following:
- encouraging the presence of nutritional benchmarks, in particular the Nutri-Score, in advertisers' messages, and their inclusion in program sponsorship;
- strengthening the obligations of programs relating to healthy and sustainable food, in terms of volume and quality of exposure;
- extending the scope of the charter to include radio, outdoor and digital advertising operators;
- the development of a scheme toevaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the commitments made.
The CNAO campaign
As a committed partner of the Collectif national des associations d'obèses(CNAO), Arcom is renewing its support for the many initiatives put in place for World Obesity Days, which will be held throughout France on March 2, 3 and 4, 2023.
The CNAO is accredited by the French Ministry of Health, EASO (European Association for the Study of Obesity) and CAF America (quality label - international certification).
It serves :
- a link between institutions, regional associations and patients
- spokesperson for people suffering from weight problems (overweight and obesity).
Through its various actions, the CNAO aims to :
- gain recognition for obesity as a chronic disease;
- defend the interests of the general public and of people suffering from obesity;
- improve care for people suffering from obesity;
- propose preventive measures for the general public;
- to pass on the right information to those affected by overweight and obesity.
As part of this new awareness-raising campaign, the media are showing visuals, a logo and a video produced by the Collectif National des Associations d'Obèses (CNAO) and forwarded to them by Arcom.
On Thursday March 2, as of 6pm, the CNAO is organizing a webinar entitled"Obesity prevention". To take part in the webinar, follow this link.