REGIONAL DIETARY RISK BURDEN IN EUROPE (1990–2023): IMPLICATIONS FOR WORKFORCE HEALTH AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

Dietary behavior is a major determinant of the health of the European population and, indirectly, of workforce performance. The burden of disease attributable to dietary risks influences the incidence of chronic diseases, functional capacity, and the sustainability of economic systems. The study analyses the longitudinal evolution of the burden of dietary risks in Europe between 1990 and 2023 and investigates the existence of persistent regional differences. The data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (IHME) database and include 42 European countries, grouped into six regions. A linear mixed-effects model with random country-level intercepts and a first-order autoregressive (AR(1)) structure was used to capture temporal variations and regional differences. The results show a significant decrease in the burden of dietary risks during the period analyzed (p < 0.001), indicating a gradual improvement in the European nutritional profile. However, regional differences remain significant (p = 0.008), and the time–region interaction confirms the existence of divergent trajectories (p < 0.001). The high autoregressive coefficient (ρ = 0.974) reflects strong structural inertia, suggesting that changes in nutrition are slow and dependent on previous levels. The conclusions indicate that, although Europe is making progress in reducing dietary risks, regional disparities persist with implications for workforce health and organizational sustainability. The results argue for the need to implement regionally differentiated public policies and to integrate strategies for promoting healthy eating into management practices.