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Aims: Physical activity (PA) is an important part of maintaining good overall health. Currently, the number of insufficiently physically active adults and children is alarmingly high worldwide. To tackle the challenge, several interventions have been conducted, however, current knowledge on intervention effectiveness is still inconclusive. This scoping review aimed to summarize the effects of long-term PA interventions across all age groups in the Nordic countries. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by including all age groups and interventions lasting more than 12 months. The aims of the interventions had to focus on increasing PA and/or fitness. The Behaviour Change Wheel framework was used to describe components of the intervention functions. Results: Initially, 1937 studies were identified. Twelve intervention studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. From the included studies, seven focused on children and/or their parents and five on working-age adult populations. Most of the studies built on theoretical backgrounds and included several behaviour change functions. A hindering factor for synthesis was variation in measurement methods: both subjective and objective outcome measures were reported. Among all age groups, intervention effects on PA were modest. Conclusions: There was no clear evidence of increased PA or fitness from long-term interventions in communities. However, even small improvements in PA are important for increasing PA at a population level and enhancing public health. More research is required for evidence-based community and public health planning.

Background Osteoporosis is a disease adversely affecting the bone health and causing fragility fractures. Osteoporosis is affecting the lives of approximately 200 million people worldwide and causing nearly 9 million fractures annually. In the European Union the economic burden of osteoporosis and prior fragility fractures was estimated at €37 billion in 2010; the costs are predicted to double by the year 2050. The disease takes both personal and economic toll by causing significant disability and increasing health-care costs as the population ages. There is evidence, that certain environmental substances may increase the risk of osteoporosis. Methods In the framework of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a set of 18 priority substances and substance groups were selected to be further studied. Within HBM4EU a scoping document has been prepared for each of the substance groups. Based on a review of the recent literature, a scoping review of substances which might be associated with osteoporosis was prepared. Results The literature research revealed that there is a possible link of osteoporosis and heavy metals such as cadmium and lead. Additionally, for phthalates and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a potential association was observed. Especially women in perimenopausal and postmenopausal stage have been identified as being at greater risk of harmful effects. Other substances such as bisphenols, arsenic, mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are suspected to have adverse effects on bone health but the evidence is still incomplete. Conclusions Although there is some evidence that these environmental substances have an adverse effect on human health, more research is needed. Some of the evidence is inconsistent, and there is a lack of extensive epidemiological studies. Since people are exposed to many substances simultaneously, there is a need to initiate studies which attempt to clarify the possible combined effects. Key messages Exposure to cadmium, lead, phthalates and PFASs may adversely affect bone health and increase a risk of osteoporosis. An inverse association of chemicals and bone mineral density is often detected. The growing concern of chemical exposure requires initiating of epidemiological studies on the subject. Multidisciplinary action for safeguarding citizenś health in Europe and worldwide is needed.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, prevalent in approximately 50–70% of the dementia cases. AD affects memory, and it is a progressive disease interfering with cognitive abilities, behaviour and functioning of the person affected. In 2015, there were 47 million people affected by dementia worldwide, and the figure was estimated to increase to 75 million in 2030 and to 132 million by 2050. In the framework of European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), 18 substances or substance groups were prioritized for investigation. For each of the priority substances, a scoping document was prepared. Based on these scoping documents and complementary review of the recent literature, a scoping review of HBM4EU-priority substances which might be associated with AD was conducted. A possible association between risk of AD and pesticides was detected. For mercury (Hg), association is possible but inconsistent. Regarding cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As), the results are inconsistent but inclined towards possible associations between the substances and the risk of disease. The evidence regarding lead (Pb) was weaker than for the other substances; however, possible associations exist. Although there is evidence of adverse neurological effects of environmental substances, more research is needed. Environmental chemical exposure and the related hazards are essential concerns for public health, and they could be preventable.