Obesity is “an exploding nightmare” according to a recent World Health Organisation report, and it’s swiftly rising up the political agenda.

Associated with health complications including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes and cancer, it’s estimated that 600 million people globally are obese. In the UK, it’s predicted that obese will be the most common body type in less than twenty years. Already, it costs the NHS £6bn a year.

At the same time undernutrition remains a problem, especially in lower income countries. A recent study of the world’s 22 largest food companies by the Access to Nutrition Foundation, claimed industry is moving “far too slowly” to address the double burden presented by undernutrition and obesity.

Ranking Unilever, Nestlé and Danone top for efforts to integrate nutrition into their business models, and acknowledging the rate of progress from other companies (Mars improved nine places from 2013), the report said companies still had “a long way to go if they are to play their full part in tackling the mounting global nutrition crisis.”

It recommended companies better measure the nutritional value of products, track revenues generated by healthier products, strengthen food labelling to help people identify healthier options, and market more responsibly to children.

Join the discussion

Join a panel of experts on Wednesday 24 February 1-2pm GMT in the comments section on this page to discuss the role of business in improving public health. Questions we’ll explore will include:

• What are the good examples of companies building healthier products into their portfolio?
• How can food products be reformulated to make them healthier?
• Are companies treating customers in emerging markets equally? How can they ensure they do?
  
• How can companies positively influence choice and behaviour?
• What does responsible marketing look like?
• As food innovation and technology advances, what impact might it have on the future of nutrition?
  

Panel

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium

Dan Crossley, chief executive, Food Ethics Council

Sarah Tulej, senior sustainability advisor on the business and food teams, Forum for the Future

Jens Bleiel, chief executive, Food for Health Ireland

Andrew Mullins, Origin Green co-ordinator, Bord Bia

Anna Taylor, executive director, Food Foundation

Leave a question now

You can submit questions for the panel in advance using the form below or tweeting them to @GuardianSustBiz using #askGSB.