How active are the Europeans in daily life?

I was awarded my PhD 1975 and my MD in 1978 from the Univ Umeå. My clinical specialty was Neurology. Currently (and since 1994) I am Head of the Unit for Preventive Nutrition at the Dept Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

I have

• published about 250 original scientific papers on muscle morphology and physiology, and in public health sciences (physical activity assessment, health monitoring, public health nutrition), and about 250 reviews, abstracts, etc;

• been involved as co-ordinator, associated or collaborating partner in about 25 EU-funded research and developmental projects from 1997 and onwards (such as EURODIET, PROCHILDREN, HELENA, ALPHA).

Daily physical activity and food habits have been a key focus at my activities. Methods for assessment and analysis of physical activity level and pattern at individual as well as population levels have been developed, tested and implemented. A series of projects, currently ongoing, have been initiated, usually at international level, for the assessment of food intake and physical activity among children and young people as well as adults. Improved breastfeeding and an increased fruit and vegetable consumption are especially dealt with.