More than 55 percent of adults in Europe and Central Asia are overweight or obese. Millions are anaemic, or suffer from iodine, zinc and Vitamin A deficiencies. In children, malnourishment persists at alarming rates in many countries, leading to stunted growth and other problems.

An FAO paper published in advance of the 39th session of the European Commission on Agriculture (Budapest, Hungary, 22-23 September) presents data on the nutritional status of populations across the Europe and Central Asia region. It highlights the fact that while hunger – in the sense of “undernutrition” or inadequate calorie intake – has been largely eradicated, serious nutrition problems need to be tackled.