Nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity. Policy developments in the WHO European Region

The aim of this report is to highlight policy developments in the area of nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity in the Member States of the WHO European Region. The report was prepared in relation to and as background material for the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey, on 15-17 November 2006. It was compiled on the basis of material used during the preconference process and updated after the Conference to include information received from national and international counterparts and other sources up to January 2007.

The report contains information on national policy developments and examples of programmes, which have been implemented or are ongoing in the area of nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of obesity at the national and local levels in 48 countries of the WHO European Region.

The report is intended to support ongoing policy development, action and exchange of experience in this increasingly important area of public health.