The main aim of the conference is for the EU and the US to share their experiences and learn from each other on diet, physical and health issues.

"I am sure the vast range of European and American expertise gathering in Brussels today will help us to drive ahead this process and put the brakes on this accelerating epidemic," he added.

"Meetings such as this EU-US conference on good practices for diet, physical activity and health give us the opportunity to share what practices and programs we have found, work and do not work in our different cultures, to learn from one another," remarked US deputy secretary for health Alex Azar.

EU studies show that in Europe today, six out of the seven most important risk factors for premature death are related to how a person eats, drinks and moves.

These are blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption.

Overweight and obesity are also increasing at an alarming rate in Europe.

Obesity is one of the most serious public health problems in Europe, because it increases significantly the risk of many chronic diseases such as certain cancers, while the increase of childhood obesity is also worrying.

Last year the European Commission launched a Green Paper on Nutrition and the commission aim is to make new proposals on health claims and a review of food labelling legislation.

"A comprehensive strategy is needed to stem the rise in obesity in Europe, combining legislative and non-legislative initiatives," said Mr Kyprianou.

In the meantime other challenges that will be discussed during the same conference are public/private partnerships for action on diet, young people's lifestyles and influencing consumer choices in order to promote better nutrition.