Achieving health through diet: a joint event of the Sabri Ülker Foundation and The Nutrition Society of UK and Ireland, May 2022

Abstract

Optimum nutrition plays a major role in the achievement and maintenance of good health. The Nutrition Society of the UK and Ireland and the Sabri Ülker Foundation, a charity based in Türkiye and focused on improving public health, combined forces to highlight this important subject. A hybrid conference was held in Istanbul, with over 4,000 delegates from 62 countries joining the proceedings live online in addition to those attending in person. The primary purpose was to inspire healthcare professionals and nutrition policy makers to better consider the role of nutrition in their interactions with patients and the public at large to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The event provided an opportunity to share and learn from different approaches in the UK, Türkiye and Finland, highlighting initiatives to strengthen research in the nutritional sciences and translation of that research into nutrition policy. The presenters provided evidence of the links between nutrition and disease risk and emphasised the importance of minimising risk and implementing early treatment of diet related disease. Suggestions were made including improving health literacy and strengthening policies to improve the quality of food production and dietary behaviour. A multidisciplinary approach is needed whereby Governments, the food industry, non-governmental groups and consumer groups collaborate to develop evidence-based recommendations and appropriate joined up policies that do not widen inequalities. This summary of the proceedings will serve as a gateway for those seeking to access additional information on nutrition and health across the globe.

Food Safety Awareness, Changes in Food Purchasing Behaviour and Attitudes towards Food Waste during COVID-19 in Türkiye

“…Türkiye ranks among the top ten global agricultural economies [2] and is exceptionally well-placed to grow a wide variety of food crops. However, despite this, nutrient deficiencies and inequalities persist against a backdrop of vast amounts of food waste [3].…”

Nutrition and public health in Georgia: reviewing the current status and inspiring improvements: a joint event of the Georgian Nutrition Society, The Nutrition Society of the UK and Ireland and the Sabri Ülker Foundation, October 2023

“…The average life expectancy is 78 years in Türkiye and 81 years in the UK. However, the average healthy life expectancy is just 68•4 years in Türkiye and 70•1 years in the UK, and chronic disorders and diseases are common in later life (1,48) . The main causes of death are CVD and cancers, and cases of dementia are increasing (49) .…”

“…Micronutrient deficiencies persist including Fe, vitamin D and iodine (27•8 % of the Turkish population). Fruit, vegetable and dietary fibre intakes are suboptimal (1) . In Türkiye, a National Obesity Action Plan encompasses food standards for school children, increased physical activity, updated National Dietary Guidelines and many initiatives to raise awareness about lifestyle-related diseases (53) .…”

“…The Georgian Nutrition Society, the Nutrition Society of Great Britain and Ireland and Sabri Ülker Foundation (SÜF) came together in Tbilisi on 3–4 October 2023 to review opportunities to make a positive difference. Inspiration was derived from a variety of sources including the highlights of a conference held in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2022 on the theme ‘Achieving health through diet’ (1) , and examples of best practice from the UK and Türkiye.…”

“…The Turkish and World Diabetes Foundations have together implemented a diabetes education programme with promising results (53) . A healthy eating and obesity prevention programme in Istanbul includes the provision of 35 000 bicycles and publicly available sports trainers (1) . The SÜF has championed nutrition education in schools.…”