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Design of the South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS): a four-country multistage cluster design study
- Anne Schaafsma, Paul Deurenberg, Wim Calame, Ellen G. H. M. van den Heuvel, Christien van Beusekom, Jo Hautvast, Sandjaja, Poh Bee Koon, Nipa Rojroongwasinkul, Bao Khanh Le Nguyen, Panam Parikh, Ilse Khouw
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 110 / Issue S3 / September 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 September 2013, pp. S2-S10
- Print publication:
- September 2013
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Nutrition is a well-known factor in the growth, health and development of children. It is also acknowledged that worldwide many people have dietary imbalances resulting in over- or undernutrition. In 2009, the multinational food company FrieslandCampina initiated the South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS), a combination of surveys carried out in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, to get a better insight into these imbalances. The present study describes the general study design and methodology, as well as some problems and pitfalls encountered. In each of these countries, participants in the age range of 0·5–12 years were recruited according to a multistage cluster randomised or stratified random sampling methodology. Field teams took care of recruitment and data collection. For the health status of children, growth and body composition, physical activity, bone density, and development and cognition were measured. For nutrition, food intake and food habits were assessed by questionnaires, whereas in subpopulations blood and urine samples were collected to measure the biochemical status parameters of Fe, vitamins A and D, and DHA. In Thailand, the researchers additionally studied the lipid profile in blood, whereas in Indonesia iodine excretion in urine was analysed. Biochemical data were analysed in certified laboratories. Study protocols and methodology were aligned where practically possible. In December 2011, data collection was finalised. In total, 16 744 children participated in the present study. Information that will be very relevant for formulating nutritional health policies, as well as for designing innovative food and nutrition research and development programmes, has become available.
Policy, trade, economic, and technological aspects of improving nutrient intake and lifestyles in the European Union
- Jo Hautvast, Ibrahim Elmadfa, Mike Rayner
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- Journal:
- Public Health Nutrition / Volume 4 / Issue 2a / April 2001
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 July 2008, pp. 325-336
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1.A new Nutrition Committee for the European Union
1.1 A new Nutrition Committee for the European Union, should be created to give independent scientific and policy advice on nutrition, diets and physical activity to the Commission. This should be supported by a strengthened Nutritional Unit within the Commission.
2.Policy development2.1 There needs to be a comprehensive and coherent nutritional policy for the EU
2.2 The development of European dietary goals should continue after the completion of the Eurodiet Project.
2.3 The European Commission should revise its Recommended Daily Allowances for vitamins and minerals using a systematic, evidence-based approach. Recommended Daily Allowances should be set at a level which would prevent deficiencies and lower the risk of disease.
2.4 The European Commission should produce, preferably every four years, a report on the state of nutrition, diet and physical activity in the EU. This report should contain proposals for action
3.Components of a nutrition policyEducation3.1 The European Commission should not be involved in the direct delivery of lifestyle advice to the public.
3.2 The European Commission should continue to support networks whose members are involved in educating the public and in training professionals about nutrition, diets and physical activity.Research
3.3 European Community funding of health-related research should better reflect the Community's public health priorities.
3.4 The European Community should ear-mark funds for large, multi-centre studies into nutrition, diet and physical activity with a duration of up to 10 years.
Consumer protectionFood labelling3.5 The European Commission should draw up proposals for the regulation of health claims.
3.6 The European Community should agree rules for the use of nutrition claims along the lines agreed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
3.7 The European Commission should review the 1990 Nutrition Labelling Directive particularly with a view to making nutrition labelling more comprehensible and it should encourage the development of other ways of providing consumers with information about the nutrient content of foods though, for example, the Internet.
Food composition3.8 The European Commission should review the Novel Food Regulations, particularly with a view to ensuring that the nutritional consequences of consuming novel foods are better assessed and to making approval procedures more efficient.
3.9 European Community rules on food fortification and on food supplements should be harmonised but in such a way that the interests of consumers are paramount.
Agriculture policy3.10 The Common Agriculture Policy should be subject to a regular and systematic health impact assessment.
3.11 Given that there are subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy designed to increase consumption of surplus food, these should be directed towards promoting the consumption of foods for which there is strong evidence of a need for increased consumption in the EU for health reasons.
Special issuesFruit and vegetable consumption3.12 The promotion of increased fruit and vegetable consumption across the EU should be a key aspect of the European Union's proposed nutrition policy.
Breast feeding3.13 The European Union should review its policy on breast feeding including assessing and, if necessary, improving its legislation on breast milk substitutes and maternity leave.
Physical Activity3.14 The European Union should have a policy for promoting physical activity in Europe. This should be part of, or at least closely integrated with, the European Union's proposed nutritional policy.