Commission adopts green paper on healthy eating

The European Commission has adopted a Green Paper on the promotion of healthy diets and physical activity.

A consultation process on fighting obesity has been launched, with the aim of developing a Community strategy on diet, physical activity and health.

Obesity is estimated to account for up to 7% of healthcare costs in Europe, and poor nutrition, lack of exercise and obesity taken together are the leading cause of preventable death in Europe.

Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition are risk factors associated with heart disease, type II diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.

The number of overweight and obese children is estimated to be rising by 400,000 a year.

The European Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, launched in March 2005, and the European Network on Nutrition and Physical Activity are two of the tools which the EU has developed to respond to these health issues.

The Green Paper will seek the views of the EU institutions and interested parties on areas including advertising, consumer information and education and the promotion of physical activity