International agency for research on cancer-World Health Organization joint “Global nutrition surveillance initiative” (Globodiet initiative): Rationale and roadmap for implementing its regional branches

Introduction/Objectives: The world is currently facing an unprecedented global non-communicable disease burden, largely driven by a worldwide nutrition transition characterized by increased consumption of energy-dense foods, (saturated) fatty acids, sugar and salt. A five-step approach will be followed, including 1) the preparation of the Globo- Diet country-versions; 2) the validation (incl. feasibility piloting) of these versions; 3) their implementation in the national surveillance system of the selected countries; 4) the broader expansion to other regional countries and development of local hubs; and 5) provision and analyses of standardized dietary data for multiple research, surveillance and prevention purposes. Conclusions: Starting from a stepwise worldwide initiative which could rapidly be expanded to other countries, the provision of more comparable and detailed dietary data worldwide available as a comprehensive and fully documented e-database(s) for surveillance, prevention, risk assessment and research and science-based evidences to support policymakers in development implementation and monitoring of cost-effective action plans to decrease the current diet-disease burden, at national, regional and international levels.