European South and Nordic Countries: a new approach to global food parameters and public health relationship

Abstract The global behaviour of food systems of two groups of European countries (three Nordic and three Mediterranean) is explored. The global food system model defined by Triptolemos Foundation is applied, using 20 variables with public and statistically reliable data series of food system parameters: availability, economy, politics, knowledge, behaviour, and culture, with attention to the study of the food/health relationship. A new index is defined: Global Food System Harmony Index (GFSHI), which allows knowing the coherence and degree of internal balance between the evaluated variables of the countries. It appears as an appropriate instrument for managing food systems. Conclusions allow us to characterize impact of food behaviour on health in each country and comparatively as a whole, both at a quantitative and qualitative level.