In July 2006, the Nordic Council of Ministers - the Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Ministers for Health and Social Affairs - adopted a Nordic Plan of Action on better health and quality of life through diet and physical activity. With this Plan of Action, the Nordic ministers emphasize the importance of working for better health and quality of life on equal terms for all Nordic citizens. The challenges are daunting - unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and overweight are growing problems. This is why work must be done regionally, nationally, and internationally to reverse the trend and ensure good health and quality of life for all. The Nordic Plan of Action emphasizes efforts in which Nordic cooperation will create synergy and added value to the initiatives that the individual countries have already taken. The Plan of Action also comprises a common Nordic contribution to the international debate on preventing overweight and promoting a healthy lifestyle.