Investing in sustainable health: insights from BMC Nutrition for European Public Health Week 2026

In this blog, we highlight recent BMC Nutrition studies that support the themes of European Public Health Week 2026, spanning planetary health, food systems, individual behaviours, and clinical outcomes.
Investing in sustainable health: insights from BMC Nutrition for European Public Health Week 2026
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European Public Health Week (EUPHW), taking place from 4–8 May 2026, is an annual initiative led by the European Public Health Association, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across Europe. It offers a valuable moment to reflect on shared public health priorities and to strengthen collaboration in tackling the challenges we face. Each year, EUPHW highlights the critical role of research and evidence in shaping healthier, more equitable societies. The 2026 theme, “Investing for sustainable health and well-being,” draws attention to the importance of long-term, systems-level thinking—encompassing prevention, equity, workforce development, and the integration of health across all policies. 
 
In this context, we are pleased to showcase a selection of recent research published in BMC Nutrition. These articles reflect the breadth and diversity of work across nutritional science and public health nutrition—areas that are central to addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, including non-communicable diseases, dietary transitions, and health inequalities. Together, they highlight the value of evidence-based approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainable health and well-being across Europe and beyond.
 
Recent research in BMC Nutrition reflects many of the themes at the heart of this year’s EUPHW.
 
For example,  work from the Netherlands by Corné van Dooren et al.,  explores the feasibility of aligning dietary recommendations with both health and environmental sustainability. Using a modelling approach, the authors assess how current dietary patterns compare with reference diets designed to stay within planetary boundaries while meeting nutritional requirements. The findings show that substantial dietary shifts would be needed to simultaneously achieve optimal health outcomes and environmental targets, particularly through reduced consumption of animal-based products and increased intake of plant-based foods. The study highlights the challenges and trade-offs involved in developing truly sustainable dietary guidelines at the population level. 
  
Understanding how individuals engage with such transitions is equally important. A scoping review  from the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, synthesising evidence from 93 studies, suggests that awareness of the link between meat consumption and climate change remains relatively low. Instead, people are more often motivated by health concerns and animal welfare. This gap between environmental knowledge and behaviour points to the need for clearer, more targeted public health messaging.
 
Several studies also highlight how behavioural and societal factors shape dietary change.  Research from Norway by Øverby and colleagues shows that web-based tools can support healthier preconception diets, particularly when they provide clear and practical guidance that makes behaviour change feel achievable. At the same time, a separate Norwegian study by Løvhaug et al., underscores the importance of collaboration in food system transformation. Drawing on perspectives from a large cross-sector partnership, the authors show that even in well-established collaborative environments, early alignment on roles, expectations, and shared goals is critical to success.
 
Insights into consumer attitudes are further provided by a  study of German adolescents, which finds generally positive views towards milk alternatives, driven by perceived health, environmental, and animal welfare benefits. However, barriers such as taste preferences, cost, and concerns about nutritional adequacy remain, highlighting where targeted education could help support more sustainable choices.
 
Beyond individual behaviour, questions of equity and access are also central. A study from Spain examining charitable food aid in Barcelona reveals that while food parcels may meet some energy needs, they often fall short in key micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and zinc, and can exceed recommended levels of fat and sodium. These findings point to important nutritional gaps and the need to better align food aid provision with dietary guidelines.
 
At a global level, strengthening how we measure diet quality is another key priority. Research led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights inconsistencies in how the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator is assessed across major surveys. Differences in questionnaire design and classification approaches can lead to varying estimates, raising important questions around comparability in public health monitoring.
 
Finally, work by Rydhög and colleagues provides insight into dietary patterns within intervention settings, showing that greater adherence to a Paleolithic-style diet was associated with more favourable weight and cardiometabolic outcomes, although without clear additional benefits beyond the broader lifestyle intervention. This highlights the value of detailed dietary pattern metrics in understanding how diet relates to health outcomes.
 
Taken together, these studies illustrate the breadth of nutrition research contributing to public health priorities in Europe and beyond. From planetary boundaries and sustainable dietary transitions, to equity in food systems, improvements in nutrition surveillance, and advances in behavioural and clinical research, they point to the multiple, interconnected levers needed to improve population health. As European Public Health Week emphasises the importance of investing in sustainable health and well-being, this body of work reinforces the value of integrated, evidence-based approaches that bring together environmental, social, and biological perspectives on nutrition.
 

 

Open Collections 

BMC Nutrition continues to support these priorities through its open collections, which bring together research on key public health themes and create focal points for emerging areas of inquiry.  


  

For a wider perspective on how these themes are being explored across Springer Nature, see this recent post from Alex Goodridge https://communities.springernature.com/posts/european-public-health-week-2026-investing-for-sustainable-health-and-well-being 

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Related Collections

With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.

School-based nutrition interventions

BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection, School-based nutrition interventions. School-based nutrition plays a crucial role in shaping children’s eating habits and fostering lifelong healthy behaviors. By integrating nutrition education into school curricula, educators can empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed food choices. This Collection seeks to gather research exploring various methodologies, frameworks, and outcomes associated with school-based nutrition programs, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to nutrition education within the school environment.

Fostering healthy eating habits during childhood is essential for preventing diet-related chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being. Recent advances in the field have highlighted the effectiveness of school meals, food literacy initiatives, and the whole school approach in enhancing students' dietary practices. Moreover, innovative strategies that leverage behavior change principles are being implemented to engage children and families, creating a supportive environment for healthy eating. Understanding these dynamics can lead to more effective interventions and policies aimed at improving nutrition in schools.

If this research continues, it is likely to drive significant advancements in the development of integrated nutrition education programs that are responsive to diverse student needs and community contexts. The future may see enhanced collaboration between schools, healthcare providers, and local communities, ensuring that nutrition education is not only a subject taught in classrooms but a fundamental component of students’ daily lives.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

- Impact of school nutrition programs on children's eating habits and food waste

- Whole school approach to healthy eating

- Food literacy initiatives in schools

- Behavior change strategies in nutrition education

- Knowledge, attitudes and practices of school-aged children towards food and nutrition

- Food, nutrition and sustainability education in school-aged children

- School meals to improve student food security and minimize food waste

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: May 29, 2026

Nutritional interventions to prevent non-communicable diseases in the aging population

BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection that explores the nutritional interventions aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases in the aging population. We welcome research that examines dietary patterns, nutrient deficiencies, and innovative strategies to enhance health outcomes in older adults, ultimately contributing to the global understanding of nutrition's role in promoting longevity and well-being.

The aging population is increasingly at risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and certain cancers. These conditions not only diminish quality of life but also impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems globally. Nutritional interventions have emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate these risks, focusing on the role of diet in managing and preventing chronic diseases. By examining how specific nutrients and dietary patterns can influence health outcomes in older adults, we can foster a deeper understanding of effective prevention strategies tailored to this demographic.

Advancements in nutritional science have highlighted the critical link between diet and health outcomes, particularly in the context of aging. Recent studies suggest that targeted nutritional interventions can significantly reduce the incidence and progression of NCDs among older individuals. Innovations in food for special medical purposes and a growing awareness of nutrient deficiencies have opened new avenues for research. By emphasizing the importance of nutrition in aging populations, we aim to equip healthcare providers and policymakers with the knowledge needed to implement effective preventive strategies.

Ongoing research in this field holds the potential to revolutionize how we approach dietary recommendations for aging populations. As we gain insights into the interplay between nutrition and chronic disease prevention, future advancements may lead to more personalized dietary interventions, improved guidelines for nutrient intake, and enhanced public health initiatives aimed at promoting longevity and well-being among older adults.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

- Nutrition interventions for diabetes prevention

- Dietary patterns and cardiovascular health in aging

- Nutritional strategies for neurological disease prevention

- The role of nutrition in cancer prevention among older adults

- Addressing nutrient deficiencies in aging populations

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Jun 04, 2026