In 2003 EHN undertook a systematic review of the research on consumer understanding of nutrition labelling.

The European region, including Central and Eastern Europe, is facing a huge forthcoming burden from cardiovascular diseases. The demographic effect of an ageing population in the West and the deteriorating health and economic situation in the East mean that the European region will be confronted with a large increase in the number of people with CVD in the years to come. Concerted action to prevent CVD is needed.

Many of the serious diseases of adult life have their origins in a younger age. One of them is obesity, a symptom of an imbalance between caloric intake as food and calories expended through physical activity. This is a strong rationale for encouraging the development of healthy habits among young people.

Raising physical activity levels amongst the general population has been described as 'today's best buy in public health.' A more active lifestyle, even one with low intensity or short-burst types of activity, lowers CVD risks. EHN recommends, among other things, developing an EU policy that enhances physical activity, linked to policies in other relevant areas.