Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .
Fall in total cholesterol concentration over five years in association with changes in fatty acid composition of cooking oil in Mauritius: cross sectional survey
Abstract Objective : To determine the extent to which reducing the saturated fatty acid composition of a ubiquitously used cooking oil influenced changes in  cholesterol concentration in the population during a five year intervention  programme in Mauritius . Design : Cross sectional surveys in 1987 and 1992 determined mean total cholesterol concentrations in the population . A r and om sample of respondents in the 1992 survey completed a nutrition question naire that included questions on diet in the previous 24 hours . Setting : Mauritius . Intervention : In 1987 the  government of Mauritius changed the composition of the commonly used cooking oil from being mostly palm oil ( high in saturated fatty acids ) to being wholly soya bean oil ( high in unsaturated fatty acids ) . Subjects : 5080 and 5162 subjects in 1987 and 1992 cross sectional surveys . 2059 subjects aged 30–64 years were r and omly selected from the respondents of the 1992 survey to take part in the nutrition survey Main outcome measures : Fatty acid composition of phospholipids in pooled serum sample s from men and women from the two surveys ; measured and predicted change in serum cholesterol concentration . Results : From 1987 to 1992 total cholesterol concentrations fell significantly by 0.79 mmol/l ( P<0.001 ) in men and 0.82 mmol/l ( P<0.001 ) in women . The estimated intake of saturated fatty acids decreased by 3.5 % of energy intake in men and by 3.6 % in women , and the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids increased by 5.5 % and 5.6 % of energy intake , respectively . These changes were reflected in changes in the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids , and according to Keys ' formula these changes explained much of the decrease in serum cholesterol concentrations ( predicted decrease of 0.38 mmol/l in men and by 0.40 mmol/l in women ) . Conclusion : Dietary changes that entailed a reduction in the saturated fat content of a ubiquitous cooking oil explained most of the observed decrease in serum cholesterol concentration over five years in the population of Mauritius . Key messages The saturated fatty acid intake of Mauritians was reduced by modifying the composition of the widely used cooking oil Mean serum cholesterol concentration decreased by 15 % after the cooking oil intervention was introduced nationwide Effective , low cost prevention programmes for chronic disease are needed in less industrialised countries . Simple action in dietary policy could be one such
Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .