Reviews of scientific evidence and policies on nutrition and physical activity

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Ingrid Zechmeister-Koss

PROJECT TEAM AT THE EUROPEAN CENTRE

Ricardo Rodrigues, Katharine Schulmann, Stefania Ilinca

EXTERNAL PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Christina Dziewanska-Stringer, ICF Consulting Service Ltd. (United Kingdom)

PROJECT PARTNERS

ICF International (United Kingdom)

University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)

European Public Health Alliance (Belgium)

BACKGROUND

As the burden of chronic diseases in European countries has reached considerable proportions, various EU-wide initiatives were launched in an attempt to address the main risky health behaviours linked to non-communicable diseases. Among them, nutrition and physical activity have been identified as major risk factors for a host of chronic conditions and an important target for prevention.

AIMS

The project intended to enhance the evidence-base for effective and efficient action to tackle diet and physical activity challenges, namely those related to non-communicable diseases in Europe. The overarching goal was to contribute to the promotion of healthy diets and regular physical activity in particular, among vulnerable subpopulations and low socio-economic status groups.

METHODS

  • The project partner ICF carried out eight systematic reviews of the academic and grey literature on the main determinants of diet and physical inactivity-related chronic diseases and formulated policy recommendations based on the accumulated information.
  • A series of interviews and in-depth case studies complemented the reviews and allowed for a detailed analysis of issues and policies of particular relevance.
  • Furthermore, a series of eight expert workshops have been organized by the European Public Health Alliance and facilitated by the Euro-Centre team with the goal to evaluate and validate the literature review results and to further refine a set of objective-specific policy recommendations.
  • Throughout the project, a peer review process involving a number of external experts, revised the results and provided strategic guidance and feedback to the project team.

ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES

  • Comprehensive reviews of scientific evidence related to nutrition and physical activity in eight objective areas
  • Interviews with stakeholders
  • Expert Workshops (coordinated by the European Centre)
  • Policy Development

FUNDED BY

DG Santé, European Commission

PROJECT DURATION

03/2017 – 12/2017