The first event in the "Health" sector on the calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency is a conference on issues of healthy nutrition for children

On February 6, 2018, in Sofia, within the framework of one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Health for the period of the Bulgarian Presidency - "Healthy Nutrition for Children", a conference will be held at a highly expert level.

The theme of the conference is in line with one of the key horizontal themes of the Bulgarian Presidency, namely the theme for young people and children, as the best investment in the future of Europe.

Goal

Nutrition is one of the main determinants of health: the spread of chronic diseases is a consequence of our modern way of eating. An important aspect is, therefore, the emphasis on the health perspective and the actual implementation of the „Health in All Policies” approach. Nutrition and quality food products should contribute to a healthy lifestyle as a component of prevention policy, as healthy children and young people mean wealth, a productive European population and a healthy workforce.

The issue of nutrition can be seen from different perspectives: in the context of employment, trade, environmental protection, research. All of these are important: but the impact on human health and, above all, on children who are the most vulnerable consumer group and unable to make healthy choices on their own should be highlighted. On this topic is also important that health and agriculture work side by side.

Main topics

The topics to be discussed at the conference will present the impact of nutrition on health (from breastfeeding to epigenetics), the quality of traditional products and eating habits; marketing and children, as well as best practices at national, European and international level.

Discussions will be initiated on: the need for food that is not only safe but also healthy; production that takes into account the need for healthy food; the consequences of marketing food intended for children; the role of traditional food patterns in Europe, their impact on health - and the need to preserve the diversity of food in the EU i.

Lecturers and moderators of the conference are scientists and specialists in nutrition, children's health, non-communicable diseases, prevention and control from leading world and national universities, the World Health Organization, as well as experts from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health.

Video

A video specially designed for the children's healthy nutrition priority will be presented at the conference and then broadcasted on Bulgarian National Television.