Health, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy

1. Health, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy Dr Aileen Robertson Acting Regional Adviser for Nutrition WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen Co-author Dr Tim Lobstein Director, The Food Commission, London

2. WHO European Region The designations and the presentation of material on this map of Member States of the WHO European Region (as of 31 July 1997) do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. As at March 1999

3. Ischaemic heart disease,0-64,per 100000 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 EUROPE NIS average EU average CEE average Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases

4. Prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases Cerebrovascular diseases, 0-64/100000 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 EUROPE NIS average EU average CEE average

5. Malignant neoplasms, 0-64, per 100000 115 110 105 100 95 90 85 80 75 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 EUROPE NIS average EU average CEE average Prevalence of cancers

6. Obese men in WHO European Region

7. Obese women in the WHO European Region

8. Under - Nutrition No evidence of widespread under-nutrition due to lack of protein (milk/meat) or energy (excess energy intake)

9. WHO Recommendations • Vegetables & fruit – >400g/person/day • Pulses, nuts and seeds - >30g/person/day (part of 400g) • Potatoes – energy from complex carbohydrates (50-70% energy)

10. Population goals from recent international expert analyses based on different levels of evidence Component Population goals Levels of evidence Physical Activity Levels PAL>1.75 ++ Adult Body Weight as BMI BMI 21-22 (18.5 – 24.9)** ++ Dietary Fat % E <30 ++ Fatty Acides % total E Saturated <10 ++++ Trans <2 ++ Polyunsaturated (PUFA) n-6 <7-8 ++ n-3 2g linolenic + 200 mg very long chain ++ Carbohydrates Total % >55 +++ Sugary intakes, occasions per day =<4 ++ Fruit and Vegetables (g/d) >400 ++ Folate from food >400 +++ Dietary Fibre >25 (or 3g/MJ) ++ Sodium (expressed as sodium chloride) g/d <6 +++ Exclusive Breast Feeding About 6 months +++ * The range given in brackets refers to individuals not populations EuroDiet conclusions

11. Trends in production of milk, meat, bread and potatoes Europe 1950-1989 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1989 Year

12. Vegetables and fruit FAO Intake Availability of fruits and vegetables according to FAO data and intake surveys

13. Percentage of low fruit and vegetable consumers Vegetable < 250 g/p/day Fruit < 150 g/p/day Source: DAFNE - Data Food Networking

14. Dietary targets CAP budget Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture

15. Hidden environmental costs of agriculture Annual “hidden” costs of intensive agriculture (in Euros) Costs which are not reflected in the price of foods United Kingdom Germany Water pollution 350m 135m+ Air/ozone pollution 1,660m 1,690m Soil contamination 140m ?m Lost biodiversity 190m 7m+ Agrochemical impact on health 2m 13m+ Microbiological impact on health 1,160m+ ?m Costs per hectare 305 Euros 105+ Euros

16. Food Phytonutrient Potential Health Benefits Against Oranges & grapefruit Terpenes Ulcers & tooth decay Protective health features of vegetables and fruits Tomatoes Lycopene Heart diseases and prostrate cancer Carrots Beta carotene Malignant changes in lungs Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts Isothiocyanates Lung Cancer Heart disease and cancerous changes to cells Quercetin Apples, Grapes, Onions, tea Pollution from tobacco smoke Ellagic acid Strawberries & grapes Source: Recent advances in Phytochemistry: Functionality of Volume 31; 1997 – T. Johns & J. Romeo, Plenum Press and Antioxidants – the case for fruit and vegetables in the diet; Rice Evans, C. & Miller, N. J.: British Food Journal, 97: 9: 1995, pp. 35 – 40

17. Loss of bio-diversity • Lost diversity of diet, with a few crops providing our food • Lost nutrient density through selection for high yielding varieties • Lost access to wild foods which have high nutrient density • Distorted markets which favour processed foods and animal products

18. Lives saved 26,000 deaths before the age of 65 years would be prevented annually in EU…… if intake of fruits and vegetables was levelled up to the highest consumption levels.

19. Food production should encourage: • Environmentally sustainable forms of farming • Production of foods for consumers’ nutritional needs • Social cohesion and improved socio-economic status in rural areas • Promote public health

20. Opportunity Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

21. EU ENLARGEMENT % Income on Food & employment Food expenditure % household income Agricultural employment % total empl. Source: DAFNE - Data Food Networking

22. Shifts in distribution of occupation, 1972-95 Source: World Bank, 53 countries over a 23- year period.

23. Changing Public Attitudes • Average Family pays 1000 Euros/yr as a result of CAP • 92% of public think Agric is important • Only 50% know about CAP • Increase in number of Food Scandals

24. Food & Nutrition Health Health 21 Environment Agenda 21

25. Polish farmer

26. Food & Nutrition Policy Nutrition Food Safety Sustainable Food Supply Health21 Agenda21

27. Vegetable messages "It's time to leave the country" Adapted from an advert by Thomas Cook

28. Eat your veggies! I wish somebody would start a scare about “greens”