The Role of Nutrition in Active and Healthy Ageing: For prevention and treatment of age-related diseases: evidence so far

Europe is facing an ageing population. Life expectancy is at its highest and many European populations are going through major demographic changes and transition towards a much older population structure. However, despite living longer many people suffer ill-health or disability in the last 15 to 20 years of life. To encourage active healthy ageing and to help increase healthy life expectancy, the European Commission has launched the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (the Partnership), which aims to add an average of two healthy life years in Europe by 2020. This report aims to support the Partnership and to review the contribution of diet and nutrition in increasing healthy life years and promoting active healthy ageing (AHA). The report gives a description of the key determinants of AHA including economic, social and behavioural contributions and how they can relate to diet. It focusses on the issue of undernutrition in older people – both a cause and consequence of functional decline. Given the importance of undernutrition and that micronutrient deficiency is a common problem in older adults, this report summarises the evidence on key micronutrient supplementations on prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and conditions. At this stage, the current evidence is not sufficient or strong enough to support the use of vitamin and mineral supplementation to improve health in the elderly. It does not follow that supplementation is not effective; there are many possible explanations for the lack of effects seen in the studies reviewed. However, as it stands, a better approach to ensure proper nutrition in the elderly is to improve their diet, to maximise their intake of essential vitamins and minerals from natural food sources. Indeed, the evidence from Mediterranean diet as a whole diet approach to promote health, increase longevity, and reduce the risks of a range age-related diseases risks supports this in a number of observational studies. A number of research gaps are also highlighted in this report. Further research is needed on the wider determinants of AHA e.g. social, economic and environmental aspects and their interrelationships with dietary behaviours in older people; to identify the most effective strategies to promote public health messages to the older population; further evidence on life-course approach to ageing; and to develop a set of validated, agreeable, cost-effective and non-invasive measures and tools to quantify AHA outcomes including the quality of diet, fitness, and well-being in older people. Above all, there is a need to provide better guidance on diet and nutrition for older population and a set of age-specific, up-to-date dietary recommendations is essential to achieve this.JRC.I.2-Public Health Policy Suppor

Feasibility study on dietary recommendations for older adults in the European Union

Despite mounting scientific evidence to support healthy and balanced diet in promoting active and healthy ageing, targeted, age-specific, and up-to-date dietary recommendations for older adults in Europe are not easy to find. On the 23-24 October 2014, the JRC organised an expert workshop "Feasibility study on dietary recommendations for older adults in the European Union" to discuss the need for dietary recommendations targeting older adults in Europe, and to identify strategies to promote better diet to prevent malnutrition in the older population. Twenty four experts from multiple disciplines related to nutrition and ageing from various European countries participated in the one and half day workshop. The overall consensus was that older adults, who are healthy may not need additional specific dietary recommendations as the current general adult population recommendations are likely to be sufficient, although some argued that even in healthy older adults, attention should still be paid to vitamin D and protein intakes. Participants identified and developed points for action for three main strategies/ working areas to promote better diet and reduce malnutrition in older adults. The strategies were 1) to develop targeted dietary guidelines for specific groups of older adults, 2) to implement general screening with a multi-disciplinary approach, and 3) to carry out additional research in a number of areas related to diet and ageing.JRC.I.2-Public Health Policy Suppor

Sugars content in selected foods in the EU: a 2015 baseline to monitor sugars reduction progress

In 2015, as part of the EU Framework for National Initiatives on Selected Nutrients, the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity (HLG) set as a target the reduction of added sugars in food products by a minimum of 10% by 2020 against a 2015 baseline. A suitable monitoring framework is necessary to describe the baseline situation and to evaluate the progress of food reformulation; its development is under way in some EU Member States, as well as part of the Joint Action on Nutrition and Physical Activity (JANPA). This report complements these activities by filling data gaps where needed and by providing a broad geographical coverage based on commercially available data collected in a harmonised way for branded products across Europe. It estimates sugars content from 2015 data for the three product categories identified by the HLG for immediate action: sugars sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals and dairy products. Based on market volume information, this report estimates the amount of total sugars sold to European consumers by these three product categories. By providing the mean sugars content, weighted by market share, for product (sub-) groups, it also highlights the existence of product groups whose reformulation is critical to achieving the 2020 target. The results highlight the need to adopt a multifaceted approach that targets not only individual high-sugars products, but also the products with high market shares that are contributing the highest overall volumes of sugars to consumers, independent of actual total sugars content. These results are calculated using 2015 data from a commercial market research company, Euromonitor International . The analysis is performed for 22 European countries; however, a comparison between countries is not provided due to differing market coverage.JRC.F.1-Health in Societ

Trans fatty acids in Europe: where do we stand?

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are a particular type of unsaturated fatty acid. They are naturally present in food products made from ruminant animals such as dairy and meat from cattle, sheep or goat (naturally occurring ruminant TFA or rTFA) but can also be produced industrially (TFA of industrial origin or iTFA). Consumption of TFA is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states that ‘TFA intakes should be as low as is possible within the context of a nutritionally adequate diet'. Denmark was the first country to adopt legislation limiting the content of TFA in foods in 2003. Since 2003, Switzerland (2008), Austria (2009), Iceland (2011), Hungary (2013) and Norway (2014) have legislation in place and now also limit the content of TFA in foodstuffs. EU legislation does not regulate the content of TFA in foodstuffs nor does it require its labelling.The European Parliament and the Council have however requested as part of the recent Regulation (EC) No1169/11 on the provision of food information to consumers that the European Commission (EC) reports on ‘the presence of trans fats in foods and in the overall diet of the Union population’. It is expected that the results can inform further decisions on introducing, at European level, ‘appropriate means that could enable consumers to make healthier food and overall dietary choices or that could promote the provision of healthier food options to consumers, including, among others, the provision of information on trans fats to consumers or restrictions on their use’. This report is a first step in addressing this request. The analysis of the most recent publicly available data confirms reported reduction of TFA in foods but also shows that there are still a number of foods with high levels of TFA (above 2g TFA per 100g of fat) in some European food markets. Results from dietary surveys also indicate that although the overall population TFA intake is below the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended maximum of 1 E% there are subpopulations exceeding the recommended threshold. As long as products with high TFA content remain in the food market, it is possible that individuals may consume more than the recommended maximum. As it stands, there appears to be room for improvement of the European situation as regards the presence of iTFA in foodstuffs.JRC.I.2-Public Health Policy Suppor

Mapping of National School Food Policies across the EU28 plus Norway and Switzerland

Background: With childhood obesity prevalence on the rise in many European countries, schools may serve as a protected environment for children to learn healthy diet and lifestyle habits. Policy makers, educators and researchers would benefit from a comprehensive overview of European school food policies. Methods: We screened public databases, EU level reports, national ministerial websites and the scientific literature to collate official school food policies across Europe. Member States representatives checked that all appropriate documents (total of 34 policies) had been identified and referenced, and they reviewed and confirmed the extracted data. Results: Mandatory standards are defined in 18 of the policies (53%), the remainder offering voluntary guidelines. Top 3 policy aims are to improve child nutrition (97%), teach healthy dietary/lifestyle habits (94%) and reduce/prevent obesity (88%). Variations mainly relate to the types of meals targeted (e.g. lunch, breakfast, snack, dinner); whether standards/recommendations are nutrient- and/or food-based; and if vending machines and the wider food environment (kiosks near schools, packed lunches from home, etc.) are considered. Conclusion: We provide an up-to-date overview of European school food policies. The next step will be to assess the need and feasibility for developing best practice guidelines for school food policies in Europe, bearing in mind cultural and structural differences between countries.JRC.I.2-Public Health Policy Suppor

Mapping and zooming in on childhood obesity

Overweight and obesity are a challenge for children and adolescents worldwide and in the EU. This report shows the dimension of the challenge at the EU level and tells a series of stories, illustrated through maps, that highlight and make the case for the importance of showing data disaggregated at various levels (by socio-economic status or by region – NUTS2, and even NUTS3). The data and maps presented show that education level for example, is an important determinant of obesity. Data collected at local level are a powerful source of knowledge that can and should be used for evidence-informed and truly tailor-made targeted actions and policies. This is illustrated by the comprehensive yearly evaluation of children's health that the Portuguese city of Gaia organises and the actions that stem from it. Interventions at local level based on local data have immediacy and deliver a sense of action and empowerment that is hardly achievable at national level. The stories selected here are mere examples; other stories, using other disaggregated data sets, could have been told. There is room and need for deepening data collection relevant to children's health and childhood obesity and to make it more accessible and comparable. This will benefit decision-makers at every level, public health practitioners and researchers. And most importantly, it will benefit the health of children and adolescents in our continent.JRC.F.1-Health in Societ

Tomorrow's healthy society - Research priorities for foods and diets

Health promotion and disease prevention through provision and consumption of healthy diets are increasingly recognised as crucial, both socially and economically, in the face of strained healthcare systems, an ageing population, and the high individual and economic costs of diseases.The Foresight study ‘Tomorrow's healthy society – research priorities for foods and diets’ was initiated to inform the selection of research challenges to receive funding under the Horizon 2020 programme. The exploratory scenario-building approach focused on the European consumer with the year 2050 as a long-term time horizon. Four different future scenarios were developed using the extremes of two main drivers – agricultural commodity prices (low or high) and societal values (community spirit or individualistic society). The scenarios provided the basis for the identification and prioritisation of research needs to address the challenges and opportunities arising from the different scenarios. The resulting ten research priorities fall into four thematic areas: Towards healthier eating: integrated policy-making; Food, nutrients and health: cross-interactions and emerging risks; Making individualised diets a reality; and Shaping and coping with the 2050 food system.JRC.DDG.02-Foresight and Behavioural Insight

Public Procurement of Food for Health: TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE SCHOOL SETTING

An urgent call to action Childhood and adolescence are periods of development when establishing healthful diet and lifestyle habits is essential. A look at the current prevalence rates of overweight (approx. 15%) and obesity (approx. 5%) among children and youths in the EU shows an urgent need for improvement. Considering the amount of time that children spend at school, as well as the fact that in many European countries students consume at least one daily main meal there, schools are an ideal environment for supporting healthy behaviours. It is laudable that all EU Member States have school food policies and guidelines in place to define healthy diets and nutritious food offerings. The implementation of such policies through a procurement process for school food that is health-sensitive can have a number of both short- and long-term benefits including improved student health and performance at school, increased societal awareness about the links between food and health, and reduced healthcare costs. It can also help steer the market and create economies of scale and spill-over effects in other sectors or age groups. Harnessing the power of public procurement of food for health At an estimated €82 billion, the European social food service market is sizeable both in reach and sheer force. Progressive and targeted public procurement of food for health can reward food business operators who provide nutritionally balanced meals and food products, prompting innovation, food reformulation and social responsibility to achieve better diets and positively impact public health. In fact, success stories are already visible, for example, with articles about the health benefits of better school food provision via procurement, beginning to emerge in the scientific literature. Another favourable trend is that schools have been quick to apply green public procurement criteria. The same forward-thinking and flexibility should be expected and promoted for public procurement of food for health. Supporting Member States While the EU legal framework offers substantial scope for health-sensitive public procurement of food, authorities face a number of challenges. In schools, a major obstacle is the translation of school food standards into adequate procurement contract language. In order to ensure the smooth implementation of public procurement of food for health, it is important to set clear specifications about the foods and food services to be procured. This technical report meets this need. The specification sheets included in this document are based on the recommendations from the national school food policies mapped in 2014. They include specifications and other considerations for key food groups and nutrients as well as specifications regarding food preparation and the catering service in general. This report provides a strong justification for action and supports Member States in the real-life tasks necessary to effectively translate national school food policies into healthy school food environments. In doing so, it also raises awareness about the importance of promoting healthy diets for the benefit of children and schools, and for health systems and the economy. After all, schools are not just places to learn about mathematics, history, science and languages, but also places where children should be given the opportunity to thrive by developing good eating and lifestyle habits that can last a lifetime.JRC.F.1-Health in Societ

The Future of Cities

This report is an initiative of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission (EC), and supported by the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). It highlights drivers shaping the urban future, identifying both the key challenges cities will have to address and the strengths they can capitalise on to proactively build their desired futures. The main aim of this report is to raise open questions and steer discussions on what the future of cities can, and should be, both within the science and policymaker communities. While addressing mainly European cities, examples from other world regions are also given since many challenges and solutions have a global relevance. The report is particularly novel in two ways. First, it was developed in an inclusive manner – close collaboration with the EC’s Community of Practice on Cities (CoP-CITIES) provided insights from the broader research community and city networks, including individual municipalities, as well as Commission services and international organisations. It was also extensively reviewed by an Editorial Board. Secondly, the report is supported by an online ‘living’ platform which will host future updates, including additional analyses, discussions, case studies, comments and interactive maps that go beyond the scope of the current version of the report. Steered by the JRC, the platform will offer a permanent virtual space to the research, practice and policymaking community for sharing and accumulating knowledge on the future of cities. This report is produced in the framework of the EC Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies and is part of a wider series of flagship Science for Policy reports by the JRC, investigating future perspectives concerning Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Road Transport, Resilience, Cybersecurity and Fairness Interactive online platform : https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcitiesJRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

Sweet Ingredients

Sweet foods and drinks are enjoyed by most people and have become very popular in western diets. There are however health concerns associated with overconsumption of sugared high caloric products and on the other hand, some consumers fear their non-caloric counterparts as well. This article analyses the health issues regarding natural and artificial sweeteners and discusses the concerns as well as the safety of the compounds currently in the market.JRC.I.2-Public Health Policy Suppor