Gaining health : analysis of policy development in European ...

Chapter 4
114
comparative analysis of nutrition policies (29) carried out
by WHO in preparation for the 2006 European Ministerial
Conference on Counteracting Obesity, the Committee
for Nutrition Policy has now approached the new Minister
regarding the adoption of a national nutrition policy.
The draft policy has five main aims: reducing childhood obesity,
increasing the consumption of vegetables and pulses,
reducing the consumption of meat and increasing that of
fish, improving nutrition in mass catering, and broader information
of the public regarding nutrition and food safety. It
is hoped that this draft policy, submitted to the Ministry in
November 2006, will be adopted and followed by a national
action plan for its implementation. 11 It is not yet clear what
the structure for its implementation might be, although a
committee coordinated by the MHSS, with participation by
the ministries responsible for education, agriculture, development
and transportation, is being discussed.
Recent surveys (30) have indicated that, although compared
to other developed countries risk factors such as hypertension
are still relatively low in Greece, their levels are already
becoming a serious public health problem. Those who are
conscious of their hypertension, although on the whole not
achieving their preferred body weight, seem to be trying to
improve their eating habits, for example by consuming lowfat
products, thus perhaps indicating areas where nutrition
policy could be strengthened.
Few Greek schools provide school meals, but most have
kiosks selling snacks and drinks. In an attempt to influence
eating habits from a young age, in July 2006, regulations
proposed some years before were finally introduced, listing
in detail what may be sold in such kiosks (31). These
regulations define the accepted content of sandwiches, for
11
Since the completion of this case study, a National Action Plan for Nutrition
and Nutritional Disturbances 2008–2012 has been formulated (in
Greek only) by the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity and is available
at http://www.mohaw.gr.
example (cheese or turkey, tomato, no mayonnaise) and
the type of cheese to be used, etc. and permit natural fruit
juice (without added sugar) and water but no other soft
drinks. It is said to be one of the strictest regulations in
Europe. However, there appears to have been little support
effort, such as raising awareness among teachers, pupils and
parents of the need for such regulations.
The Mediterranean diet gives an important role to olive oil,
which is produced and consumed throughout the country.
Many urban dwellers have their supply of olive oil for family
use from their own trees or those of relatives. A number
of food producers have recently joined the nutritionists in
promoting the main components of the Mediterranean diet
and providing recipes. Ongoing research by the University
of Athens and others, partly funded by the EU, is investigating
traditional foods, how they are made and their nutritional
value.
2.6.3. Alcohol policy (32)
Wine has been produced in Greece since ancient times and
alcohol consumption is very much a part of social and family
life, particularly in rural areas, where it is usual to drink wine
with meals every day. About one third of the wine produced
in Greece is made on small farms and in households.
While they contribute to the consumption of alcohol, family
and social networks are nevertheless considered to play
an important part in restricting excessive drinking. There
appears to be a strong belief among the general public
that there are no serious alcohol-related problems in the
country, and drunken and disorderly behaviour tends to be
associated with certain groups of tourists.
Although there is no published preventive alcohol control
policy, 12 various ministries have developed related policy
12
Since the completion of this case study, a National Action Plan for the
Control of the Damaging Consequences of Alcohol on Health 2008–2012
has been formulated (in Greek only) by the Ministry of Health and Social
Solidarity and is available at http://www.mohaw.gr.
Case studies: policy development in countries for tackling noncommunicable diseases