Task Force on Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Background                                                                                 

Lifestyles and dietary patterns are in a state of rapid transition all over Asia and Australasia. With modernization and globalization, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases has escalated in recent years, placing a heavy burden on health care services and resulting in rising health care costs. At the same time, the region continues to struggle with malnutrition that threatens vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, children and the elderly. The co-existence of under- and over-nutrition, coupled with the diversity of the region’s populations, present unique challenges for promoting healthy lifestyles.

The lack of sufficient scientific data on food and nutrient consumption, physical activity trends and local reference standards to assess the nutritional status of the populations, as well as the impact of these markers on health, further compound the problem, making interventions difficult.

For the past 10 years, ILSI SEA Region has contributed to the resolution of these issues through the promotion of research and dissemination of credible scientific information. Key areas of focus include:

• Macronutrients
• Health and Chronic Diseases
• Dietary Assessment
• Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)
• Nutrition Labeling
• Nutritional Status and Food Consumption Data

While the results of scientific research provide support and substantiation for FBDGs, nutrition labels and other nutrition advice set by policy-makers and regulatory bodies, studies have also shown that consumer behavior has an impact on their efficacy. To better understand consumer behaviors and motivations in relation to dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle choices, ILSI SEA Region is planning conduct a meeting on the science of consumer behavior.

Objectives

The Task Force aims to:

• Support research on health, nutritional status and physical activity levels of populations in Southeast Asia and Australasia;
• Disseminate current and credible scientific information to healthcare professionals, academics, researchers and policy makers;
• Foster science-based decision-making by scientific and regulatory bodies;
• Support health, nutrition and physical activity promotion strategies in collaboration with national, regional and international agencies;
• Promote a balanced approach to nutrition and physical activity through the development of national FBDGs; and
• Support science-based approaches to nutrition labeling.
  

Activities Undertaken

• Meeting on "Carbohydrates, fats, protein – What’s the optimal mix?" - June 20, 2005, Australia 
• Regional Symposium - Role Of Carbohydrates In Human Health & Disease, July 26-27, 2005, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• CSIRO – ILSI SEA Regional Collaboration Workshop on Gut Health, December 10, 2005, Singapore
• Joint ILS NA – ILSI SEA Region Symposia at the 4th Asian Congress of Dietetics, April 24 – 26, 2006, Philippines
  
  • Hydration and Human Health – Update on Critical Issues
  • The Science of Sodium – Issues and Challenges
  • Symposium on Nutrition Links in Oral and Systemic Health
• Seminar on “Promoting Better Understanding of Nutrients Claims in Malaysia”, May 16, 2006, Malaysia

• 4th Workshop on Harmonization of Nutrition Labeling and Scientific Basis of Health Claims in ASEAN, July 17, 2006, Malaysia

Latest Publications

Monograph on Role of Carbohydrates in Health and Disease:  Evaluating the Scientific Evidence for Dietary Guidance