The meeting was a joint action from the Health and Consumer Intergroup combined with the Fruit and Vegetables Intergroup, which have objectives that although are not always similar, are reconcilable, especially regarding public health.
The Intergroup invited three highlevel speakers to talk about their vision on the fight against obesity. The first speaker, Mr Johan Knoppers from the European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, explained in detail the School Fruit Scheme. He also presented examples from Member States such as the school fruit scheme currently running in Ireland: Irish Food Dudes Program (Michael Maloney, Irish Food Board):
Some important dates concerning the European School Fruit Scheme are as follows: 21 May 2008: Impact Assessment (IA): approval of the final report by the IA Board and publication on internet, DG Agri website. 27-30 May 2008: EGEA Conference: presentation of the IA final report. 16 July 2008: Adoption of Commission proposal depending on the conclusions of IA 11-12 December 2008 (to be confirmed): Seminar “Knowledge exchange on SFS in the EU”. Before 1 January 2009: Adoption of the proposal. For more information on the School Fruit Scheme, please see the site of DG Agriculture: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm
The second speaker, Mr. Maestre Albert, President of the Association of Regional Assembly of Fruit and Vegetables and Horticultural Products (AREFLH) highlighted that AERFLH believes that it is absolutely crucial to reverse the trend of obesity.
The last speaker, Mr. Robert Pederson from the Danish Cancer Society explained the impact of fruit and vegetables on the prevention of Chronic Diseases. Mr Pederson gave a background on Chronic Non Communicable diseases (CNCD) and how fruit and vegetables are crucial as part of a preventive strategy to fight CNCDs. An unhealthy diet is one of the major modifiable risk factors along with physical inactivity and tobacco use. CNCD account for some 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden in the WHO European Region, which is particularly alarming given the fact that these diseases are largely preventable (WHO 2006).
Currently fruit and vegetable consumption is far below recommended levels in the EU. It has been estimated that less than 50% of EU citizens are reaching these levels. The Pro-Children Study showed that less than 20% of all children in 9 European countries reached the recommended level of 400 g daily.
Targeting settings like schools and workplaces is a way to reach large populations in a cost-effective manner, and span socio-economic divides. Increasing the availability and accessibility to fruits and vegetables in school environments makes the healthy choice the easier choice – and can help move school eating environments from obesogenic to health promoting.
Other steps should also be taken to create healthier eating environments in schools. An example is school food and nutrition policy that effectively addresses what foods are offered and how they are eaten. Increasing the availability and access to healthier foods is another strategy, but should be combined with regulation of marketing of unhealthy foods to children – both in school and outside school. It is also essential that strategies include increased physical activity which plays an important role in preventing CNDCs, also has a direct effect on CVD and cancer.
The full report of the this Intergroup meeting will be published on the Health and Consumer Intergroup website.
