People walk in a shopping street in Dortmund, Germany, on Sept 28, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

COPENHAGEN - By 2024, in the World Health Organization's (WHO) European Region the number of people aged over 65 is expected to exceed that of those under 15, according to a new report released here on Wednesday.

Entitled "Promoting physical activity and healthy diets for healthy ageing in the WHO European Region," the report said this trend entails new social, economic and health challenges, calling for a focus on healthy aging to mitigate the impact of an aging population.

It emphasizes the substantial impact that diet and physical activity exert on health and aging while refuting the notion that health and aging are mutually exclusive.

As the international public health agency of the United Nations, the WHO released this report to furnish decision-makers with a strategic guide towards ensuring healthy longevity for inhabitants of the region.

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A WHO report advocates for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week and says that higher levels of physical activity can potentially reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 35 percent

"Our report highlights why policymakers, businesses and communities in our region should create more opportunities and make better investments to make healthy choices easier, increasing healthy life expectancy for all of us," said Dr. Kremlin Wickramasinghe, WHO Europe regional adviser on nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

The report identifies a salient relationship between sustained physical activity and healthy dietary habits throughout life, and the prevention of noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, dementia and mental health disorders.

Specifically, the report emphasizes the importance for older individuals of consuming more fruits and vegetables, while reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods.

It advocates for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week and says that higher levels of physical activity can potentially reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 35 percent.

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Directing its message towards policymakers in the WHO European Region, the organization advocates for the enhancement of health surveillance systems and the expansion of community-based programs focused on physical activity.

It urges the incorporation of nutrition into medical education and ensuring citizens are equipped with advice and pertinent guidance on sustaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity.