What national and subnational interventions and policies based on Mediterranean and Nordic diets are recommended or implemented in the WHO European Region, and is there evidence of effectiveness in reducing noncommunicable diseases?

Studies have established the health promoting properties of two European diets: the Mediterranean diet and the Nordic diet. However, guidance is lacking on how to effectively translate the health benefits of these diets into specific, measurable and achievable policies and interventions for improving dietary behaviour at the population level. This report presents a synthesis of the best available evidence that creates a comprehensive picture of national and subnational policies and interventions based on the Mediterranean diet and Nordic diet within the WHO European Region. Evidence was obtained by a review (scoping and systematic) of the academic and grey literature, including official documents available from the websites of ministries of health and national health institutes. A total of 27 dietary guidelines, interventions, policies and programmes and four articles on intervention effectiveness were considered for this review. The report is aimed at decision-makers who shape national and regional policies. Action is needed to (i) translate this evidence into policies and interventions on diet and nutrition and (ii) monitor and evaluate the impact of these policies on NCDs.