The Ministry of Health and Population participated in a discussion session entitled "Transforming to sustainable and healthy diets rich in plant elements... from science to action", as part of the activities of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP27), which is hosted by Egypt from 6 to 18 November in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population - during the session activities - reviewed the results of the policies and nutrition programs that were applied to reduce child malnutrition diseases, pointing to the rates of low prevalence of stunting and anemia in children under five years between 2014 and 2021, which decreased From 21% to 13% in 2021. .

Abdel Ghaffar explained that low-income countries are facing a challenge due to malnutrition, obesity and diet-related diseases, noting the prevalence rates of risk factors for diet-related diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Abdel Ghaffar pointed to the close relationship between nutrition and climate change, and taking it into account within the national strategy for food and nutrition, stressing that in Egypt we are working to transform food systems to provide healthy, sustainable and affordable diets for citizens, as a sustainable food system provides food security and nutrition without harmful effects to the environment. .

Abdel Ghaffar added that the national strategy for food and nutrition includes taking many measures to create healthy and sustainable food environments, pointing to the efforts of the Egyptian government to reduce food waste, improve targeting food support, expand crop cultivation and improve productivity, with the aim of improving nutritional value and achieving food diversity.
Abdel Ghaffar added that wheat plays an important role in the Egyptian diet, as it provides a third of calories and 45% of protein, stressing the importance of awareness and nutritional education, which is an important factor in improving healthy eating behaviors.
Abdul Ghaffar pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Population in nutritional education for citizens, updating the tables of food ingredients, as well as launching continuous awareness campaigns on social media for citizens.
.