Book excerpt: Trends such as shifting dietary patterns and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle combined with smoking and alcohol consumption are major risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and stroke, cancer dental diseases and osteoporosis. This report reviews the scientific evidence on the effects of diet, nutrition and physical activity on chronic diseases and makes recommendations for public health policies and programmes. Issues considered include the macro-economic implications of public health on agriculture and the global supply and demand for fresh and processed foods.