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Excess intake of energy, sugars, salt and saturated fats is an important causal factor of obesity and related non-communicable diseases. In order to help consumers to make healthy food choices, many European countries have developed proposals for “front-of-pack” food labeling, intended as an integration to the nutritional information provided by the mandatory nutritional declaration. Based on the European strategic program “Farm to Fork”, the intention is to achieve a harmonized front-of-pack label proposal by Q4 2022. Among the different proposals, the one which received most attention by experts and greater feedback by the EU member countries is the Nutri-Score, a tool based on an algorithm whereby a “quality” category ranging from A to E is assigned to each single food on a background colored from dark green to dark orange. As an alternative to Nutri-Score, the NutrInform Battery has been developed by Italy in association with a few other EU member states: this proposal is objectively alternative to the Nutri-Score proposal due to a different underlying philosophy, in particular for its informative and educational intent rather than purchase orientation. The present document, prepared by the Scientific Board and reviewed by the Scientific Council of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, represents the scientific-based position of the Society in relation to the general theme of front-of-pack labeling and in particular to the dualism created between the Nutri-Score and NutrInform Battery proposals.

The avoidable mortality (ME)represents the share of deaths that occurs at an early age (0-74 aa) for causes that cannot be faced by means of public health or health care measures. The work develops a strategic intervention plan aimed at the reduction of ME by identifying local priority actions based on epidemiologic and social-health data.a working group among the Department of Prevention, Health Information Systems and Health District was set up. The databases used were:quot;State of Health Lazioquot; of the Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Region; ASL Roma 2 local health data on general mortality (2014-2016) and the local health profile of the surveillance systems "OKkio alla Salute", Passi and HBSC Lazio. The analysis results in an estimation of Asl Roma 2's data and in a comparison of this data set with the regional level of three indicators: avoidable mortality, prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases and lifestyle profile.in the three-year period (2014-2016) there were about 1,900 avoidable deaths per year; in the ASL Roma2 the ME represents about 16% of the total mortality and 60% of them are borne by the male sex. 51% of ME concerns cancer, 27% is linked to cardio-vascular diseases, 10% to trauma and poisoning. A preliminary comparison of standardized ASL Roma 2 rates of prevalence and incidence with regional values shows higher figures for some pathologies in ASL Roma 2: COPD prevalence (114 vs 107), breast neoplasia incidence (174 vs 153), incidence of lung neoplasia (71 vs 65). Prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases at the District level are not entirely consistent with the regional values according to a two level score. Incorrect lifestyles are widespread in at least 30% of the population and are more frequent in families with low educational level and with reported economic difficulties.despite the intrinsic limitations of a precise estimate of the data and the possible biases in a process of inference, the method has allowed to identify the priorities to assign in primary and secondary prevention interventions planning and for the improvement of health care; this analysis has been structured in a three years Local Strategic Plan to face the ME and was articulated in general and operational objectives and actions measured by indicators both process and, where possible, outcome evaluation.

Aims The present paper aims to identify ongoing multinational surveillance systems (SURSYSs) assessing diet and nutrition targeted to adolescents, including European surveys involving multiple countries and similar initiatives conducted in non-European countries with developed economies, and to describe the dietary assessment methods used. Data synthesis A total of 13 SURSYSs conducted in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were identified. Dietary assessment methods commonly used include 24-h recalls (24H-Rs) and questionnaires or interviews. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are used in combination with 24H-Rs in six SURSYSs: only FFQs are used in four SURSYSs; 24H-Rs only in one system and a 24H-R in combination with a general questionnaire/interview in one SURSYS. Eleven systems collect information also on some dietary habits and ten systems on other nutritional indicators such as anthropometric and/or biochemical measures. The FFQs used are not homogeneous and often include limited food or beverage items such as fruits and vegetables or sugar-sweetened beverages. In seven systems, foods specifically consumed by adolescents, such as fast food or snacks, are not assessed; instead, a total of seven systems collect data on supplement intake and just in very few cases on fats, legumes and/or water. Conclusions This study detected considerable variability across the systems identified, suggesting the need for a SURSYS targeted to adolescents that gathers as much as possible complete dietary information, with standardised methodology and regular periodicity. The detailed information provided by this review could be useful to national authorities for the choice of protocols to be applied in their own national surveys.

In Italy, like in most parts of the world, 30% of children and almost 50% of adults are overweight. This condition is one of the causes of non-communicable diseases responsible for over two thirds of DALYs, deaths and costs for healthcare. Current surveys confirm that overweight and obesity are associated with food habits which have changed, in Italy, in the last fifty years. Fewer and fewer people have been following a Mediterranean diet, which is considered an effective diet for the prevention of many diseases. The consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole cereals, and EVO oil has decreased, while the consumption of food with high energetic density and rich in sugar, salt, and added fat has increased, especially when eating out. Schools and workplaces are the best places to promote healthy food habits and an active lifestyle. The aim is to involve families (including low-income families), educators, and catering services. This type of intervention is not new to the National Health System and has already led to improvements: however, it is still possible to improve the use of resources and coordination between social, educational, and health services bringing the community to become its own health promoter. Health operators have to be more aware of overweight as a health threat. The National Health Plan represents a commitment for Italy, the country hosting EXPO 2015, to fulfill the targets of the «Action Plan European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2012-2016» entrusting the Departments of Prevention with the interventions and development of a network of stakeholders.