FDI and IADR welcome the extension of the maternal, infant and young child nutrition plan to 2030 and the ambitious targets on exclusive breastfeeding rates and reducing childhood overweight prevalence. Optimal breastfeeding provides critical nutrition and limits free sugar exposure, making it a powerful, cost-effective intervention to reduce the lifelong risk of noncommunicable diseases, including early childhood dental caries.
We applaud the new operational targets especially early breastfeeding initiation, access to counselling on infant and young child feeding, and tracking sugary drink consumption in children under two.
These actions address excessive sugar intake, the primary dietary factor for tooth decay affecting 514 million children and 2 billion adults globally.
FDI and IADR urge Member States to accelerate nutrition actions by prioritizing their commitments to DecisionEB156(37). We also strongly recommend integrating oral health benefits within global nutrition monitoring framework, and prioritizing research on the oral health benefits of healthy nutrition.