Moving forward in public health nutrition--the I World Congress of Public Health Nutrition. Introduction.

Advances have been made in public health nutrition, but there is still a long way to go. Alliances and synergies are needed on a global scale and among various stakeholders: scientists, (non-) governmental organizations, healthcare professionals, food industry, media, consumers, and regulators. Partnerships are critical to innovatively combine competencies and resources to address persistent global health problems. The I World Congress of Public Health Nutrition, held in Barcelona from 28 to 30 September 2006, aimed to foster a sound scientific evidence base as well as to provide a forum for networking and alliance building. Participants from 79 countries met to discuss issues and to set conclusions and guidelines for the future. The World Public Health Nutrition Association was founded within this platform to continue these important tasks.