A report outlining solutions to the related pandemics of obesity, undernutrition and climate change was ranked among the top 50 academic papers of 2019, according to a Milken Institute School of Public Health release last week.

Altmetric, a company that tracks and analyzes online mentions of research articles, ranked the report – co-authored by professor of public health William Dietz –  No. 49 in its annual listing of the “most-discussed” works of 2019. Dietz produced the report with other researchers from GW, Auckland University in New Zealand and medical research journal Lancet as part of a joint venture called the Lancet Commission on Obesity.

Dietz, the chair of the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness and senior author of the report, said he is “pleased” that the report has received broader recognition. He added that the report represents an effective framework for combating the “global syndemic” of climate change, undernourishment and obesity together.

“Climate change is the most urgent issue affecting the health of people and the planet and the need to act on our recommendations is more critical than ever,” Dietz said in the release. “We look forward to continuing to partner across the country and across the globe to move the needle on this pressing public health challenge.”

The report recommends that political leaders establish a global treaty on food systems to limit the food industry’s influence on policy-making and encourage civil society to advocate for healthy, sustainable and equitable food systems. Other report recommendations include reducing red meat consumption and ensuring cheaper access to healthy food and employment.

“This commission recommends comprehensive actions to address obesity within the context of The Global Syndemic, which represents the paramount health challenge for humans, the environment, and our planet in the 21st century,” the report states.