EC Consumers ‘Well Informed About Obesity But Disinclined to Action’ – Diogenes

23/11/07 The World Health Organization (WHO) has named obesity as one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. In Europe alone, its frequency has trebled since the 1980s, and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at an alarming rate, particularly among children. Indeed, it has been calculated that obesity is already responsible for 2-8 percent of health costs and 10-13 percent of deaths in different parts of the region. In order to fight obesity, a pan-European programme, Diogenes, was developed to target the obesity problem from a dietary perspective. Over the years it has sought and discovered new insights and new directions in prevention.

Standing for "Diet, Obesity and Genes", the Diogenes project is an Integrated Project of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development running from 2005 to 2009. Over the years it has sought and found holistic approaches to combating the problem of obesity in Europe.

As part of the Diogenes project, a broad participatory meeting was held in Munich recently. Attending the meeting were a number of stakeholders from all sectors, including academic and food industry experts. Hosted by Kraft Foods R&D Inc, the event was attended by representatives from leading food producers, as well as 15 academic research centres and organisations from 10 European countries. The meeting gave the stakeholders the opportunity to discuss how they could work together to fight obesity most effectively.

Diogenes' co-coordinator, Professor Wim Saris, was at the event and said he was pleased with the common ground achieved at the meeting. 'Based on joint past experience, experts agree that the fight against obesity must not focus on changing consumer food behaviour alone. The food industry must continue to work on product reformulation, based on sound research and evidence and through setting standards for nutrition labelling, to move specific products into healthier categories,' Prof. Saris explained. 'However, it’s also important to promote overall healthy lifestyle choices, including physical activity.'

Another point of common ground that was achieved among those who attended was the fact that product innovation and reformulation, together with appropriate nutrition labelling, are key measures that the food industry can take to challenge obesity.

'Evidence is emerging that the EC consumer is generally well informed, but disinclined to action,' Saris noted. 'The challenge for Diogenes partners then is both to increase understanding of consumer behaviour and to research and develop products that will motivate consumers to make health choices.All stakeholders, from producers to distributors to retailers and restaurants, must play a part,' Saris continued. 'While major food companies are leading the way, all companies and organisations, regardless of size or geographic reach, must participate if we are to challenge obesity effectively.'