20 June 2014 – As result of the Council Meeting on Nutrition and Physical Activity in Luxembourg on 20 June 2014, the Council adopted the following conclusions:
“The Council of the European Union recalls:
1. Article 168 of the TFEU which states that a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities and provides that Union action;
2. The Council conclusions on:
- Health in all policies;
- Putting the EU strategy on nutrition, overweight and obesity-related health issues into operation;
- Action to reduce population salt intake for better health;
- Equity and health in all policies: Solidarity in health;
- Innovative approaches for chronic diseases in public health and healthcare systems
- Closing health gaps within the EU through concerted action to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours: promoting health-enhancing physical activity; and healthy Ageing across the Lifecycle;
3. The Council Recommendation of 26 November 2013 on promoting health-enhancing physical activity across sectors;
4. The Communication from the Commission — ‘Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’;
5. The Commission Communication of 29 February 2012 ‘Taking forward the Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing’;
6. The WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health endorsed by the 57th World Health Assembly in May 2004;
7. The European Charter on Counteracting obesity adopted by the WHO European Ministerial Conference on counteracting obesity (Istanbul, 15-17 November 2006);
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Notes of concern:
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8. That obesity and its morbid consequences have been described as having reached epidemic proportions;
9. That overweight and obesity have considerable impacts in terms of human suffering;
10. The low consumption of fruit and vegetables and the high intake of saturated fats, trans fatty acids, salt and sugar as well as the shift towards sedentary lifestyles and the corresponding decline in engaging in physical activities by children, adolescents and adults.
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Recognises:
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11. The beneficial impact of health promotion and disease prevention in reducing the risk of chronic conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and contribute to the good quality of life of children, adolescents and adults.
12. That investing in health, promoting good health and keeping people active for longer can help to enhance productivity and competitiveness and contribute to achieving the objectives laid out in the Europe 2020 Strategy;
13. That the elderly are vulnerable to malnutrition;
14. That it is necessary to involve all policy sectors and stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of healthy diet and physical activity;
15. That lifestyle-related risk factors, such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, tend to be more prevalent among the less educated or lower income segments of population;
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Welcomes:
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16. The recent Member States’ agreement on an EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 from 24 February 2014;
17. The outcomes of the Athens High Level Conference on ‘Nutrition and Physical Activity from Childhood to Old Age: challenges and opportunities’ on 25-26 February 2014 which highlighted that healthy diet and regular physical activity are preventive measures;
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Invites the Member States :
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18. Continue keeping healthy diet and regular physical activity a top priority for the next years;
19. Promote policies and initiatives aiming at healthy diet and sufficient physical activity throughout the lifespan;
20. Use the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020, where appropriate, as guidance for effective action on reducing childhood obesity and to promote good practices;
21. Empower citizens and families to make informed choices on diet and physical activity, providing information;
22. Promote healthy environments, especially in schools, pre-schools and sports facilities, by encouraging the supply of healthy dietary options based on nutritional standards;
23. Support initiatives to promote health in the workplace;
24. Continue to work in partnership with all stakeholders, including the industry, food business operators, health and consumer NGOs and academics to promote effective, wide and verifiable action or agreements;
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Invites the Member States and the Commission to:
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25. Support the development and/or implementation of national Food and Nutrition Action Plans;
26. Consider appropriate action contributing to the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020, including a Joint Action under the EU Health Programme;
27. Promote action to reduce the exposure of children, to advertising, marketing and promotion of foods high in saturated fats, trans fatty acids, added sugars or salt;
28. Promote healthy eating, emphasising health promoting diets, such as the Mediterranean diet or any other diet following relevant national dietary guidelines/nutrition recommendations;
29. Prioritise support for the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of activities and policies to promote healthy diet and physical activity in different socio-economic and socio-demographic population groups, as appropriate.
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Invites the Commission to:
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30. Continue to provide support and coordination to the present nutrition and physical activity policy framework through the High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity and the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health;
31. To establish nutrient profiles as foreseen by Article 4.1 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods.
32. Promote and assist the transfer and scaling up of successful initiatives that will improve the nutrient/food intake and dietary patterns and physical activity of the European population;
33. Promote actions and strategies on Active and Healthy Ageing:
34. Support Member States, to better use existing indicators and monitoring systems for non-communicable diseases;
35. Report back to the Council by 2017 and again in 2020 on the progress made in implementing the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020 as well as on other initiatives implemented in the context of the Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related health issues.”
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Council conclusions on nutrition and physical activity – full report
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