Brussels, 15/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 14 November the Platform for action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, and the High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity presided over by the European Commission met for their annual meeting in order to consolidate their action on the fight against obesity. This is an illness that is on the rise in the European Union. They welcomed the new voluntary initiatives taken by the food industry - such as more detailed nutritional information on products and stricter advertising standards aimed at children, and also the good results recorded by national campaigns to reduce salt consumption (as recommended in the conclusions of the Council of Ministers of 8 June 2010). Since its creation in 2005, the Platform for action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (which comprises member organisations of the food industry, associations of public health lawyers, NGOs, and advertisers and professionals from the world of health) has formulated over 300 commitments. These efforts are particularly important as part of the global fight against the spread of non-communicable diseases - diseases which are responsible for 63% of deaths in the world. Obesity is one of the most common non-communicable diseases and is especially caused by diets which are too rich in sugars, salt, and fat, and a lack of physical activity. (IL/transl.fl)