Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
WHO document -24 June 2014
WHO Regional Committee for Europe - Session Copenhagen, 15–18 September 2014
Dietary factors are the most important factors that undermine health and well-being in every Member State in the WHO European Region
1. Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 shows that dietary factors are the
most important factors that undermine health and well-being in every Member State in the
WHO European Region. It is recognized that malnutrition, including undernutrition,
micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity, as well as noncommunicable diseases
(NCDs) resulting from unhealthy diets have high social and economic costs for individuals,
families, communities and governments.
2. Of the six WHO regions, the European Region is the most severely affected by NCDs,
which are the leading cause of disability and death; cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and
respiratory diseases (the four major NCDs) together account for 77% of the burden of disease
and almost 86% of premature mortality. Excess body weight (body mass index > 25 kg/m2 )
excessive consumption of energy, saturated fats, trans fats, sugar and salt, as well as low
consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains are leading risk factors and priority
concerns. Furthermore, the Region faces a double burden of malnutrition, with some countries
simultaneously observing challenging levels of both overweight and obesity and nutrient
deficiencies.
3. Rising rates of overweight and obesity have been reported in many countries in the
Region during the past few decades. The statistics are disturbing: in 46 countries (accounting for
87% of the Region), more than 50% of adults are overweight or obese, and in several of those
countries the rate is close to 70% of the adult population. Figures from the WHO Global Health
Observatory data repository show that, on average (crude estimate), 57.4% of adults aged
≥ 20 years (both sexes) are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are estimated to result
in the deaths of about 320 000 men and women in 20 countries of western Europe every year.
The situation in countries of the eastern part of the Region is particularly worrying given the
speed at which the prevalence rates among children and adolescents are catching up with those
in the western part of the Region and the fact that rates of overweight and obesity in some parts
of eastern Europe have risen more than threefold since 1980.
4. Overweight and obesity are also highly prevalent among children and adolescents,
particularly in southern European countries. The children of less educated parents are most
affected and the problem continues to have the greatest impact among the most deprived groups
of society. Round 2 of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (2009–
2010) showed that, on average, one in every three children aged six to nine years in countries
participating in the survey was overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight (including
obesity) ranged from 24% to 57% among boys and from 21% to 50% among girls and that of
obesity from 9% to 31% in boys and 6% to 21% in girls. The Health Behaviour in School-aged
Children study in the WHO European Region in 2009–2010 showed that the prevalence of
overweight and obesity was 11–33% for children aged 11 years, 12–27% for children aged
13 years and 10–23% for those aged 15 years. The study also showed a higher prevalence of
overweight associated with lower socioeconomic status in some countries. Indicators of
suboptimal body composition among children, including low muscle mass, are also a concern.
Evidence indicates that higher rates of obesity among groups of low socioeconomic status may
in part result from their greater exposure to environments in which there are barriers to access to
healthy foods and fewer opportunities to engage in physical activity.
5. Some countries in the Region face a nutritional and demographic transition, with rapid
acceleration in the rates of overweight, obesity and diet-related NCDs accompanied by
persistence of undernutrition, particularly in poor households. This can often result in the
coexistence of overweight and obesity with food and nutrition insecurity in communities and
households. Studies among children aged 0–5 years in 2007–2011 showed that stunting is
prevalent in the Region, at a rate ranging from 7% to 39%. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the
Region are stalling, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices are still common.
Micronutrient deficiencies, notably of iron and iodine, are still frequent, particularly among
vulnerable populations. Research also indicates that some population groups in the Region may
be lacking other micronutrients, notably vitamin D.
6. The promotion and accessibility of a healthy and varied diet (that is both available and
affordable) is thus a key lever to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of the
population, promote healthy ageing and reduce health inequalities. This will require allocation
of additional effort and resources and will be further supported by efforts to enhance food
literacy, skills and knowledge. Supporting the most vulnerable groups so that all people living
in the WHO European Region have the benefits of an affordable, healthy diet and an active life
at a time of limited resources is an ethical imperative.
READ MORE:
Link to full report:
European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020
WHO Regional Committee for Europe - Session Copenhagen, 15–18 September 2014
Dietary factors are the most important factors that undermine health and well-being in every Member State in the WHO European Region
1. Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 shows that dietary factors are the
most important factors that undermine health and well-being in every Member State in the
WHO European Region. It is recognized that malnutrition, including undernutrition,
micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity, as well as noncommunicable diseases
(NCDs) resulting from unhealthy diets have high social and economic costs for individuals,
families, communities and governments.
2. Of the six WHO regions, the European Region is the most severely affected by NCDs,
which are the leading cause of disability and death; cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and
respiratory diseases (the four major NCDs) together account for 77% of the burden of disease
and almost 86% of premature mortality. Excess body weight (body mass index > 25 kg/m2 )
excessive consumption of energy, saturated fats, trans fats, sugar and salt, as well as low
consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains are leading risk factors and priority
concerns. Furthermore, the Region faces a double burden of malnutrition, with some countries
simultaneously observing challenging levels of both overweight and obesity and nutrient
deficiencies.
3. Rising rates of overweight and obesity have been reported in many countries in the
Region during the past few decades. The statistics are disturbing: in 46 countries (accounting for
87% of the Region), more than 50% of adults are overweight or obese, and in several of those
countries the rate is close to 70% of the adult population. Figures from the WHO Global Health
Observatory data repository show that, on average (crude estimate), 57.4% of adults aged
≥ 20 years (both sexes) are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are estimated to result
in the deaths of about 320 000 men and women in 20 countries of western Europe every year.
The situation in countries of the eastern part of the Region is particularly worrying given the
speed at which the prevalence rates among children and adolescents are catching up with those
in the western part of the Region and the fact that rates of overweight and obesity in some parts
of eastern Europe have risen more than threefold since 1980.
4. Overweight and obesity are also highly prevalent among children and adolescents,
particularly in southern European countries. The children of less educated parents are most
affected and the problem continues to have the greatest impact among the most deprived groups
of society. Round 2 of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (2009–
2010) showed that, on average, one in every three children aged six to nine years in countries
participating in the survey was overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight (including
obesity) ranged from 24% to 57% among boys and from 21% to 50% among girls and that of
obesity from 9% to 31% in boys and 6% to 21% in girls. The Health Behaviour in School-aged
Children study in the WHO European Region in 2009–2010 showed that the prevalence of
overweight and obesity was 11–33% for children aged 11 years, 12–27% for children aged
13 years and 10–23% for those aged 15 years. The study also showed a higher prevalence of
overweight associated with lower socioeconomic status in some countries. Indicators of
suboptimal body composition among children, including low muscle mass, are also a concern.
Evidence indicates that higher rates of obesity among groups of low socioeconomic status may
in part result from their greater exposure to environments in which there are barriers to access to
healthy foods and fewer opportunities to engage in physical activity.
5. Some countries in the Region face a nutritional and demographic transition, with rapid
acceleration in the rates of overweight, obesity and diet-related NCDs accompanied by
persistence of undernutrition, particularly in poor households. This can often result in the
coexistence of overweight and obesity with food and nutrition insecurity in communities and
households. Studies among children aged 0–5 years in 2007–2011 showed that stunting is
prevalent in the Region, at a rate ranging from 7% to 39%. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in the
Region are stalling, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices are still common.
Micronutrient deficiencies, notably of iron and iodine, are still frequent, particularly among
vulnerable populations. Research also indicates that some population groups in the Region may
be lacking other micronutrients, notably vitamin D.
6. The promotion and accessibility of a healthy and varied diet (that is both available and
affordable) is thus a key lever to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of the
population, promote healthy ageing and reduce health inequalities. This will require allocation
of additional effort and resources and will be further supported by efforts to enhance food
literacy, skills and knowledge. Supporting the most vulnerable groups so that all people living
in the WHO European Region have the benefits of an affordable, healthy diet and an active life
at a time of limited resources is an ethical imperative.
READ MORE:
Link to full report:
European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020