Background
In the western world, non-communicable diseases constitute the largest burden on public health costs, and diet is one of the factors in their development. Specifically, overweight and obesity and their poor health prognoses are the major public health concern of the moment. However, the underlying causes, the role of certain foods in the diet and other lifestyle factors are still subject to considerable debate. This is due, in part, to the lack of scientific data but also to the political nature of the issue. Inevitably, this leads to differences in the interpretation of the existing scientific data.
Objectives
The mission of the task force (TF) is to improve the scientific basis of weight management from a public health perspective. It focuses on the wider social, cultural and economic determinants of diet and lifestyle and the implications for public health. Concurrently the TF envisages identifying gaps in scientific knowledge, across the European region and for different demographic groups.
Activities
TAKE 10! Pilot Intervention Study on Physical Activity in Primary School Children
The task force has supported a bid for ILSI Research Foundation funds to pilot a TAKE 10! Intervention study in UK primary schools. TAKE 10! was developed by the ILSI Centre for Health Promotion in the USA and is a very successful classroom- based physical activity programme. It consists of 10-minute bursts of physical activity which are worked into the curriculum – the hypothesis being that short bursts of exercise can be accumulated throughout the day. Not only can this reduce the risk of overweight and obesity by increasing energy expenditure in the short term, but also it promotes habitual physical activity in the longer term. Other benefits reported include improved classroom behaviour and pupil attention following a TAKE 10 session.
Contextual and Behavioural Factors Influencing Childhood Obesity in the EU
In 2006, the TF commissioned a pan-European project on childhood obesity-related parameters. Led by an Expert Group (EG) the remit of the project is to review social, cultural and economic trends over the period of a generation (33 years), linking these macro trends to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Supporting evidence on, for example, car or television ownership and the relationship to childhood obesity is being collected Europe wide.
This challenging ‘state of the art’ review will be submitted to Obesity Reviews in early 2008. A significant outcome has been the importance of psychological well-being and the link to obesity in children. This will potentially inform a follow up activity in the coming year.
Update of the Concise Monograph – Healthy Lifestyles: Nutrition and Physical Activity
The popular “Healthy Lifestyles: Nutrition and Physical Activity” Concise Monograph, published in 1999, is currently being updated, with new chapters covering current topics such as appetite and satiety, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes.
Mapping of Overweight and Obesity Trends in Europe
This eagerly awaited project has compared pan-European trends in obesity and overweight over the last 20-30 years. It will provide a useful baseline to monitor future developments and identify emerging trends across Europe. The output includes a series of colour-coded maps and highlights the methodological differences between countries flagging up the urgent need to harmonise data collection methods within Europe. This work has been carried out in collaboration with WHO Europe. An extensive dissemination strategy is planned for 2008, including a ‘hot topics’ presentation at the European Congress of Obesity in May 2008.
The Year Ahead
The project on identifying social determinants of childhood obesity necessitates strong and effective partnerships. We have established strong links with WHO Europe, DG SANCO and the EU Platform on Diet and Physical Activity. Additionally, we continue to build a wide network to facilitate information sharing, dissemination and to recognise and forge links with significant developments in this area, for instance the FORESIGHT report in the U.K.
New activity proposals include potential collaboration with the ILSI Europe Consumer Science Task Force on behavioural choices regarding food and obesity. Additionally, the task force is interested in investigating psychological parameters and the link to childhood obesity, including eating behaviour and participation in habitual physical activity.
We will continue our endeavours to contribute to the vast body of obesity work and to provide high-quality science to public health policy makers.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force and expert groups:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Kevin Acheson, Nestlé (CH)
Dr. Jean-Michel Antoine, Groupe Danone (FR)
Dr. Geneviève Major, Nestlé (CH)
Dr. Karen Cunningham, Coca-Cola European Union Group (UK)
Dr. Stephen French, Mars (UK)
Ms. Anne Heughan, Unilever (NL)
Dr. Toine Hulshof, Kellogg (NL)
Dr. Anne Lluch, Groupe Danone (FR)
Dr. Hervé Nordmann, Ajinomoto Europe (CH)
Dr. Katrin Schutte, Procter & Gamble (BE)
Dr. Gary Williamson, Nestlé (CH)
Dr. Susanne Ziesenitz, Südzucker (DE)
Experts from public institutes
Prof. Heiner Boeing, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DE)
Dr. Véronique Coxam, National Institute of Agronomic Research - INRA (FR)
Prof. Albert Flynn, University College Cork (IE)
Prof. Ken Fox, University of Bristol (UK)
Dr. Katrin Kromeyer-Hauschild, Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology (DE)
Prof. Denis Lairon, INSERM (FR)
Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, Institute of Pharmacological Research (IT)
Dr. Fabio Levi, Institut Universitaire de Médecine Sociale et Préventive (CH)
Prof. Ian Macdonald, University of Nottingham (UK)
Prof. Ron Maughan, Loughborough University (UK)
Prof. Gérard Pascal, National Institute of Agronomic Research - INRA (FR)
Prof. Gabriele Riccardi, Universita Federico II (IT)
Mr. James Robertson, National Audit Office (UK)
Prof. Tom Sanders, Kings College London (UK)
Prof. Jaap Seidell, Free University of Amsterdam (NL)
Dr. Cor van Loveren, Academic Centre for Dentistry (NL)
Prof. Maria Daniel, Vaz de Almeida University of Porto (PT)
Dr. Gabor Zajkas, National Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (HU)
Experts from consultancies
Dr. Juliet Gray (UK)
Mr. John Howlett (UK)
Dr. Geoff Livesey (UK)
Dr. Kevin Yates (UK)
Publications:
C. Doak, T. Visscher, C. Renders, J. Seidell. The Prevention of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Interventions and Programmes. Obesity Reviews 2006 ;7(1) :111-136.
W.H.M. Saris et al., Editors. Overweight and Obesity in European Children and Adolescents: Causes and Consequences – Prevention and Treatment. European Journal of Pediatrics 2000;159(13):1-68. (Proceedings)
J. Gray. Overweight and Obesity in European Children and Adolescents: Causes and Consequences – Prevention and Treatment. ILSI Europe Report Series 2000:1-22. (Report)
M. Sjöström, Editor. Diet and Physical Activity – Interactions for Health. Public Health Nutrition 1999;2(3):321-459. (Proceedings)
For more information, please contact info@ilsieurope.be.