Publications
Key publications
Healthy and Sustainable Diets - Key workstreams in the WHO European Region - Factsheet (2021)
Changes in food systems will not only have to address the rise in diet-related NCDs but will also need to promote a shift towards environmentally sustainable diets. This will be no easy task, nor can we do it alone.
Safe and healthy food in traditional food markets in the WHO European Region (2021)
This technical report contains guidance on the promotion of safe and healthy food in traditional markets within the WHO European Region, targeting all stakeholders from policy-makers to market workers.
Improving dietary intake and achieving food product improvement: Policy opportunities and challenges for the WHO European Region in reducing salt and sugar in the diet (2020)
Featuring case studies from: United Kingdom, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands
Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Children Aged 6-10 (in Russian) (2020)
To help parents keep their children healthy and fit, WHO has developed the Child Nutrition and Physical Activity Guide. In addition to parents, the guide may prove to be a useful tool for other adults (such as grandparents or caregivers) working with primary school-aged children.
Improving dietary intake and achieving food product improvement (2020)
A workshop of “first mover” countries to exchange experience and identify wider policy implications for the WHO European Region
The best start in life. Breastfeeding for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO European Region (2020)
The WHO European Region lags behind on breastfeeding, and despite widespread understanding of what works, there is a persistent gap between knowledge and practice.
12th Meeting of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) - Meeting report (2019)
The WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (or COSI) is a unique system that for over 10 years has measured trends in overweight and obesity among primary school aged children. The 12th COSI meeting took place in Bergen, Norway, on 13-14 June 2019.
Time to Deliver in Europe. Meeting noncommunicable disease targets to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (2019)
This short report sets out some of the key messages and shared learning from the first European high-level conference on NCDs held in Ashgabat in December 2013.
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Kazakhstan. The case for investment (2019)
This report provides evidence through three analyses that NCDs reduce economic output and discusses potential options in response, outlining details of their relative returns on investment.
Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region. Policy brief on two new reports by the WHO Regional Office for Europe (2019)
Despite recommendations on the marketing of commercial baby and toddler foods, two new reports from WHO find widespread evidence of inappropriate promotion and poor nutritional quality of foods for infants and young children across the WHO European Region.
Improving the nutritional quality of commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region (2019)
These new reports from WHO document evidence of widespread inappropriate promotion of baby and toddler foods.
Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region (2019)
This publication describes the findings from a study conducted in four countries of the WHO European region based on this methodology.
Ending inappropriate promotion of commercially available complementary foods for infants and young children between 6 and 36 months in Europe (2019)
This discussion paper outlines the first steps in developing a nutrient profile model for commercially-available complementary foods marketed as suitable for infants and young children (6–36 months).
Monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television in the Kyrgyz Republic (2019)
This report summarizes the results of a 2018 survey of food and beverage marketing to children via television in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Monitoring and restricting digital marketing of unhealthy products to children and adolescents (2019)
This report aims to provide a tool to support Member States in monitoring digital marketing of unhealthy products to children; the resulting tool – the so-called CLICK monitoring framework – is flexible and can be adapted to national context.
Monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television in the Republic of Kazakhstan (2019)
This report summarizes the results of a 2018 survey of food and beverage marketing to children via television in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What is the evidence on the policy specifications, development processes and effectiveness of existing front-of-pack food labelling policies in the WHO European Region? (2018)
Health Evidence Network synthesis report 61. Interpretive front-of-pack food labelling (FOPL) is a policy priority for promoting healthy diets.
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Turkey - The case for investment (2018)
An intervention costing analysis provides an estimate of the funding required to implement a set of policy interventions for prevention and clinical interventions.
Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) protocol October 2016
The aim of the Initiative is to measure trends in overweight and obesity in children aged 6.0–9.9 years to get a clear understanding of the epidemic and to allow inter-country comparisons. This document outlines the common protocol agreed for use in the Initiative.
Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) - Data collection procedures (2016)
The WHO Regional Office for Europe has established the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in more than half the countries in the Region for routine monitoring of the policy response to the emerging obesity epidemic.
Evidence brief for policy. Reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and their negative health impact in Estonia (2016)
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased energy intake, weight gain, overweight and obesity more than for any other food or beverage as well as with the development of several non-communicable diseases and poor oral health.
FEEDcities project
The food environment in cities in eastern Europe and central Asia
WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (2014)
This is the first official WHO report on the implementation of COSI during two data collection rounds (school years 2007/2008 and 2009/2010) in 16 participating countries. The report uses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) technique to evaluate COSI implementation and describes the experiences gained, the challenges encountered and the obstacles overcome by participating countries.
European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020
The Action Plan is intended to significantly reduce the burden of preventable diet-related noncommunicable diseases, obesity and all other forms of malnutrition still prevalent in the WHO European Region.
Sitges, Spain, 16–18 April 2018
WHO headquarters, 2010: The first report on the worldwide epidemic of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, along with their risk factors and determinants
WHO headquarters, 2007: Implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (PDF) 598 KB
WHO headquarters, 2008
Information about NCDs for every Member State, available as a full report or as individual profiles by country
