DSM has highlighted the importance of high nutrient density foods, which it has suggested could be used as a tool to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and obesity.
In an article published in the journal Nutrients, the company followed a workshop held at the University Medical Centre of Groningen, where experts discussed the nutritional situation of the general population and the role that diet plays during critical periods of life, when the body is most susceptible to changes that increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The goal of the session, DSM said, was to present evidence for the benefits of healthy nutrition throughout life and to discuss how the concept of nutrient density – the content of micronutrients relative to energy in foods or diets, – can help to resolve some of the problems arising from currentdemographic and lifestyle changes.
While life expectancy is increasing globally, NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and type-2 diabetes are becoming increasingly prevalent. According to the World Health Organisation, NCDs are the cause of 38m deaths each year, the Dutch-based research company said.
DSM senior vice president, nutrition science and advocacy Dr Manfred Eggersdorfer said: “Modern lifestyles and economic constraints lead people to consume diets high in energy and low in micronutrients, resulting in increased obesity and suboptimal nutritional status. Information about nutrient density can help identify foods that have a low cost-to-nutrient ratio and can therefore help compile affordable diets that cover nutritional needs without increasing the risk of becoming obese.
“Given the positive impact that a nutrient dense, low energy diet can have on health, stakeholders such as the food industry, academia and governments should join efforts to develop options for affordable and appealing nutrient-rich food products, which, in combination with physical activity, allow for optimal health throughout the life-course.”
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