Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

09-May-2025

Arch Hellen Med, 42(Supplement 1), 2025, 80-86

SPECIAL ARTICLE

Health promotion – physical activity, nutrition and oral health

T. Vassilakou,¹ C. Lionis,² D. Papathanasopoulou,³ I. Kontele,¹ M. Tsantidou,⁴ K. Merakou,¹ O. Donti,⁵ G. Bogdanis,⁵ V. Papaioannou,⁶ A. Agouropoulos,⁷ A. Moraitaki-Tsami,^8,9 M. Yannakoulia,¹⁰ M. Anastasaki,^11,12A.D. Tsouros¹³
¹Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens,
²School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete,
³National Coordinator, WHO-Hellenic Healthy Cities Network,
⁴Vice President of the Panhellenic Union of Public Health Physicians of National Health System, Athens,
⁵School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
⁶Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens,
⁷Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
⁸Former Research Associate, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
⁹Former General Director of 1st Regional Health System & Welfare of South Aegean,
¹⁰Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens,
¹¹Division of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete,
¹²Laboratory "Society and Health", Medical School and Center for Research and Studies, University of Crete, Rethymno, Crete,
¹³Former Director of Policy and Governance for Health and Wellbeing, World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America

Promoting population health necessitates cross-sectoral initiatives, with a focus on creating an environment that encourages citizens to adopt healthy habits and strengthening health literacy so that individuals can make informed decisions. A healthy diet, regular physical exercise, and oral hygiene are important factors in promoting health and preventing noncommunicable diseases. The aim of the present article is to recommend strategic priorities and basic actions that the Greek government should undertake to improve the Greek population's eating habits, physical activity, and oral health. The development of frequent education and awareness programs for the general population, as well as lifelong training for health professionals of all specialties, must be ongoing efforts. At the same time, legislative actions are required to create an environment in which citizens can easily choose the healthy option, such as limiting promotional actions for foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, ensuring citizens' access to safe sports areas, and including oral health care in universal health coverage. The fundamental requirements for implementing the recommended activities include cooperation among all co-competent bodies, the academic community, professional groups, and civil society, as well as sufficient funding. Finally, it is noted that health promotion through the improvement of behavioral factors requires the strengthening of the Greek population's health literacy in order for citizens to make sound decisions to maintain and improve their health.

Key words: Dietary habits, Health literacy, Health promotion, Legislation, Noncommunicable diseases, Oral health, Physical activity.