Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 'Education/communication aspects of healthy diets and the role of NGOs' Tamsin Rose General Secretary European Public Health Alliance

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 European Public Health Alliance n A network of 85 non governmental and not- for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues n Our mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Some facts and figures to digest Poor nutrition results in n 9.7 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) n 30 % of national health costs n 10 % of burden of disease n 5 % of GDP n 30-40% of cancer cases are preventable n 33 % of CVD is preventable

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 What makes a healthy diet? n Balance n Diversity n Quality n Nutrients n Preparation n Choices

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 What is the difference between education and information? n Education: basic knowledge on food groups and elements of a healthy diet n Information: critical and analytical skills to apply knowledge

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Role of NGOs : advocacy Examining the entire food cycle n Food production n Food preparation n Food hygiene / safety n Food packaging n Food marketing

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 NGOS and the public interest n Balancing the hype of commercial marketing and advertising n Putting food into the context of nutrition and wider health messages n Highlighting the political and social issues associated with food and eating patterns n Simplifying new scientific research n De-bunking the latest celebrity diet regime

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Targeting health messages Messages about diet and healthy food choices must be appropriate, relevant and practical for the audience n Ethnic minorities and religious groups n Socially excluded groups n Vulnerable groups

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Reasons for food choices n Taste n Nutrition knowledge n Availability n Attractiveness n Peer pressure n Cost

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Ideas to improve children’s diet n Teach basic nutrition skills in schools n Limit or ban TV adverts aimed at children n Limit or ban soft drinks/confectionary vending machines in schools n Health warnings on high fat/salt foods

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 Examples of good practice - Finland n Good food labelling n Simple diet guidelines in schools, hospitals and places of work n Inclusion of fruit and vegetables in local council lunches n Regulation on type of food children can bring to school

Presentation to the European Health Forum Gastein, September 2002 European Public Health Alliance 33 Rue de Pascale B-1040 Brussels Belgium Tel : Fax :