Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-r7xzm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T12:52:54.287Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A concise overview of national nutrition action plans in the European Union Member States

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Carl Lachat
Affiliation:
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
John Van Camp*
Affiliation:
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Stefaan De Henauw
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Department of Health Sciences – Vesalius, Hogeschool Gent, Ghent, Belgium
Christophe Matthys
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Yvan Larondelle
Affiliation:
Unité de Biochimie de la Nutrition, Faculté d'Ingénierie Biologique, Agronomique et Environnementale, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Anne-Marie Remaut–De Winter
Affiliation:
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Patrick Kolsteren
Affiliation:
Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
*
*Corresponding author: Email john.vancamp@Ugent.be
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

This study presents an overview of national nutrition action plans in the member states of the European Union (EU), before its enlargement in 2004. In addition, their compliance with key recommendations of the World Health Organization, as documented in the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy and the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, has tentatively been evaluated on the basis of the policy documents published.

Design

Literature review of publicly available policy national plans on nutrition and physical activity.

Setting

Member states of the EU before enlargement in May 2004.

Results

The development of national nutrition action plans is gaining momentum. Six of the 15 EU member states – namely, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, The Netherlands and the UK – have an operational nutrition policy and four of them have published an elaborated description of their nutrition policy in English. By the end of 2004, another four countries are expected to have their plan finalised. The available nutrition action plans generally seem to comply with international recommendations, although large variations are observed between the member states in terms of terminology, nutritional recommendations, institutional framework, nutritional scope, social groups targeted and monitoring and evaluation structures.

Conclusions

Although the importance of nutritional surveillance, a comprehensive approach to nutritional problems and stakeholder involvement is recognised by the action plans, the justification for it is vaguely described. This paper advocates for proper evaluation and documentation of interventions in public health nutrition and nutrition policies.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2005

References

1World Health Organization (WHO). Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series No. 894. Geneva: WHO, 2000.Google Scholar
2Pomerleau, J, McKee, M, Lobstein, T, Knai, C. Burden of disease attributable to nutrition. Public Health Nutrition 2003; 6(5): 453–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Robertson, A, Tirado, C, Lobstein, T, Jermini, M, Knai, C, Jensen, JH, et al. , eds. Food and Health in Europe: A New Basis for Action World Health Organization (WHO) Europe, Regional Publications European Series No. 96. Copenhagen: WHO, 2004.Google ScholarPubMed
4Kromhout, D. Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases in Europe. Public Health Nutrition 2001; 4(2B): 441–57.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Kafatos, AG, Codrington, CA. Eurodiet Core Report, Nutrition & Diet for Healthy Lifestyles in Europe, Science & Policy Implications. Crete: University of Crete, School of Medicine and European Commission DG Sanco, 2000.Google Scholar
6Steyn, NP, Mann, J, Bennet, PH, Temple, N, Zimmel, P, Tuomilehto, J, et al. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7(1A): 147–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Swinburn, BA, Caterson, I, Seidell, JC, James, WPT. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of excess weight gain and obesity. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7(1A): 123–46.Google ScholarPubMed
8Reddy, KS, Katan, MB. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7(1A): 167–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Key, YJ, Schatzkin, A, Willett, WC, Allen, NE, Spencer, EA, Travis, RC. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of cancer. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7(1A): 187200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Astrup, A. Healthy lifestyle in Europe: prevention of obesity and type II diabetes by diet and physical inactivity. Public Health Nutrition 2001; 4(2B): 499515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Livingstone, MBE. Childhood obesity in Europe: a growing concern. Public Health Nutrition 2001; 4(1A): 109–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO). International Conference on Nutrition, Final Report of the Conference. W/U9265/E. Rome: FAO/WHO, 1992.Google Scholar
13World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe. The Impact of Food and Nutrition on Public Health, The Case for a Food and Nutrition Policy and an Action Plan for the European Region of WHO 2000–2005 WHO Regional Committee for Europe Resolution EUR/RC50/R8. Copenhagen: WHO, 2000.Google Scholar
14World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. Progress Report on the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy in WHO European Region 2000–2005, Progress Report for the Period 2000–2005. Copenhagen: WHO, 2002.Google Scholar
15World Health Organization (WHO). The First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy, European Region 2000–2005. Nutrition and Food Security Programme Division of Technical Support and Strategic Development Copenhagen: WHO, 2001.Google Scholar
16World Health Organization (WHO). Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, Resolution of the Fifty-seventh World Health Assembly. WHA57.17. Geneva: WHO, 2004.Google Scholar
17Treaty of Amsterdam amending the treaty on European Union, the treaties establishing the European communities and certain related acts 97c 340/01. Official Journal of the European Communities, 1997.Google Scholar
18 Council resolution of 14 December 2000 on health and nutrition 2001/C 20/01. Official Journal of the European Communities, 2001.Google Scholar
19 Nutrition and Physical Action Network, NPA members, European Commission, Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General, Directorate G, Public Health, G3 Health Promotion, Health Monitoring and Injury Prevention. Luxembourg: European Commission (not dated).Google Scholar
20Milio, N, Helsing, E, eds. World Health Organization (WHO) European Food and Nutrition Policies in Action. WHO Europe, Regional Publications European Series No. 73. Copenhagen: WHO, 1998.Google Scholar
21World Health Organization (WHO) Europe. Comparative Analysis of Food and Nutrition Policies in WHO European Member States, Full Report. Nutrition and Food Security Programme, WHO European Office for Europe. Copenhagen: WHO, 2003.Google Scholar
22European Commission, Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General, Directorate G, Public Health, G3 Health Promotion, Health Monitoring and Injury Prevention. Nutrition Physical Activity Network, Mandate. Luxembourg: European Commission, 2003.Google Scholar
23Buse, K, Waxman, A. Public–private health partnerships: a strategy for WHO. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2001; 79(8): 748–54.Google ScholarPubMed
24McCrory, MA, Fuss, PJ, Saltzman, E, Roberts, SB. Dietary determinants of energy intake and weight regulation in healthy adults. American Society for Nutritional Sciences 2000; 130: 276S–9S.Google ScholarPubMed
25Binkley, JK, Eales, J, Jekanowski, M. The relation between dietary change and rising US obesity. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders 2000; 24(8): 1032–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Jeffery, RW, French, SA. Epidemic obesity in the United States: are fast foods and television viewing contributing? American Journal of Public Health 1998; 88(2): 277–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27Clemens, LH, Slawson, DL, Klesges, RC. The effect of eating out on quality of diet in premenopausal women. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1999; 99(4): 442–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28Kant, AK, Graubard, BI. Eating out in America, 1987–2000: trends and nutritional correlates. Preventive Medicine 2004; 38(2): 243–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Burns, C, Jackson, M, Gibbons, C, Stoney, RM. Foods prepared outside the home: association with selected nutrients and body mass index in adult Australians. Public Health Nutrition 2002; 5(3): 441–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30World Health Organization (WHO). Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Report of a Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series No. 916. Geneva: WHO, 2003.Google Scholar
31Johnson-Down, L, O'Loughlin, J, Koski, KG, Gray-Donald, K. High prevalence of obesity in low income and multi-ethnic schoolchildren: a diet and physical activity assessment. Journal of Nutrition 1997; 127(12): 2310–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32Dowler, E. Inequalities in diet and physical activity in Europe. Public Health Nutrition 2001; 4(2B): 701–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33Swedish National Institute for Public Health, Swedish National Food Administration. Swedish National Aims and Strategies for Nutrition, 1999–2004. Uppsala: Livsmedelsverket, 2000.Google Scholar
34National Nutrition Council Finland. Summary of the Action Programme for Implementing National Nutrition Recommendations. Helsinki: National Nutrition Council Finland, 2003.Google Scholar
35Ministry of Interior and Health. Healthy throughout Life: The Targets and Strategies for Public Health Policy of the Government of Denmark 2002–2010. Copenhagen: Ministry of Interior and Health of Denmark, 2003.Google Scholar
36Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité, Ministère délégué à la Santé. Programme National Nutrition–Santé PNNS 2001–2005. Paris: Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité, Ministère délégué à la Santé, 2001.Google Scholar
37Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport. Langer Gezond Leven, ook een Kwestie van Gezond Gedrag [Longer and Healthy Life: Also a Matter of Healthy Conduct]. POG/OGZ/2.424.450. Den Haag: Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport, 2003.Google Scholar
38Food Standards Agency (FSA). Nutrition Strategic Framework: Proposed Action Plan. FSA 01/08/02. London: FSA, 2001.Google Scholar
39Danish National Board of Health. National Action Plan against Obesity: Recommendations and Perspectives, Short Version. Copenhagen: Centre for Health Promotion and Prevention, 2003.Google Scholar
40National Food Administration, National Institute of Public Health. A Basis for an Action Plan Concerning Healthy Eating Habits and Increased Physical Activity. Stockholm: National Food Administration, National Institute of Public Health, 2004.Google Scholar
41 Voedingscentrum website: www.voedingscentrum.nl. Accessed 18 June 2004.Google Scholar
42Food Standards Agency. Strategic Plan 2001–2006: Putting Consumers First. FSA/0020/0501. London: FSA, 2001.Google Scholar
43Lahti-Koski, M, ed. Nutrition in Finland. National Public Health Institute. Helsinki: Finnish National Nutrition Surveillance System (undated)Google Scholar
44Nutrition Forum. Terms of Reference. NF 03/20. London: Nutrition Forum, 2002.Google Scholar
45Prättälä, R. Dietary changes in Finland, success stories and future challenges. Appetite 2003; 41: 245–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
46Kjaernes, U. Food and nutrition policy of the Nordic countries: how have they been developed and what evidence substantiates the development of these policies? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2003; 62: 563–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47Puska, P. Successful prevention of non-communicable diseases: 25 year experience with North Karelia project in Finland. Public Health Medicine 2002; 4(1): 57.Google Scholar
48Kjaernes, U. Experiences with the Norwegian nutrition policy. Appetite 2003; 41: 251–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
49Food Standards Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government. Nutrition Strategy for Wales: Consultation Document. Cardiff: Food Standards Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (not dated).Google Scholar
50Food Standard Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government. Food and Well Being, Reducing Inequalities through a Nutrition Strategy for Wales. FSA/0724/1202. Cardiff: Food Standards Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, 2003.Google Scholar
51Maire, B, Beghin, I, Delpeuch, F, Kolsteren, P, Remaut–De Winter, AM. La Surveillance Nutritionnelle: Une Approche Opérationnelle et Durable. Studies in Health Service Organisation and Policy No. 13. Antwerp: ITG Press, 1999.Google Scholar
52Mackenbach, JP, Bakker, MJ. Tackling socioeconomic inequalities in health: analysis of European experiences. Lancet 2003; 362: 1409–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed