Closing the gap: data-based decisions in food, nutrition and health systems: proceedings of the Fifth International Summit on Medical and Public Health Nutrition Education and Research

Abstract

IntroductionLike many of the biological sciences, nutrition has rapidly become a science which relies heavily on data collection, analysis and presentation. Knowledge gaps exist where data does not, and so the fifth annual International Summit on Medical and Public Health Nutrition Education and Research was held to address the theme of ‘Closing the Gap: Data-based Decisions in Food, Nutrition and Health Systems’.SettingHomerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge in July 2019.Key findingsData-driven decision making is more likely to lead to positive change in areas such as malnutrition, food insecurity and food production. These decisions must be informed by multiple stakeholders from various backgrounds in multisectorial collaboration. Case examples presented at the Summit contribute to the International Knowledge Application Network in Nutrition 2025, which aims to help identify and close gaps in nutrition and healthcare.ConclusionsFormation of international networks are required to advance nutrition research, identify gaps and generate high-quality data. These data can be used to adequately train healthcare professionals resulting in positive impact on clinical and public health. Strengthening collaboration between existing networks will be essential in sharing data for better health outcomes.

Global architecture for the nutrition training of health professionals: a scoping review and blueprint for next steps

“…Nutrition capacities: a competent and motivated health workforce is key to progress towards ending the double burden of malnutrition At the NNEdPro fifth International Summit on Medical and Public Health Nutrition Education and Research, Dr Francesco Branca, Director of the WHO NFS, reiterated the need for health practitioners to advocate for healthy diets in a collective effort to reduce malnutrition in all its forms. 41 Ms Lina Mahy, Technical Officer in the WHO NFS, exposed low existing coverage of nutrition actions through the health system. Nutrition capacity, including a well trained and motivated health workforce is one of the six pillars of an effective health system and is essential to address all forms of malnutrition.…”

“…7 Ms Mahy presented key ICN2 recommendations to 'improve nutrition by strengthening human and institutional capacities to address all forms of malnutrition…'. 41 The Rome Declaration highlights the need for improved nutrition capacity of not only the health workforce, but of other community members well-placed to provide nutrition education, such as teachers and social workers. 7 Diet quality and food systems: food systems transformation is key to improvements in nutrition outcomes Diets are shaped by the food environment and food environments are shaped by food systems.…”

“…Ms Mahy outlined the need for political, programme and institutional action at the food supply, food environment and consumer behaviour stages of the food system model. 41 Indicators to monitor progress: the density of nutrition professionals is relevant to the nutrition capacity and progress within countries Nutrition data and indicators are central to effective nutrition surveillance, policy making and accountability. Ms Mahy presented the twenty primary outcomes, intermediate, process and policy environment and capacity indicators encompassed in the WHO Global Nutrition Monitoring Framework -Operational Guidance for Tracking Progress in Meeting Targets for 2025.…”

“…Dr Luke Buckner, NNEdPro UK-India Scientific Lead and Nutrition Implementation Coalition Co-Convener, provided a global perspective on data-driven insights from outputs related to TIGR2ESS, Cambridge Global Food Security, Mobile Teaching Kitchens (MTK) and India. 41 Landscaping activities undertaken in Kolkata, India in 2015 revealed a double burden of malnutrition, characterised by undernutrition, wasting and stunting, as well as pockets of the community living with metabolic syndrome. These findings led to the establishment of the MTK project, which aims to provide a scalable nutrition intervention to improve the nutrition knowledge and capacity of the population through demonstration by trained nutrition educators for development of a sustainable model.…”

“…45 SR highlighted the need for a strengthened architecture of nutrition education for health professionals, in line with the Nutrition Decade. 41 A recent synthesis of UK medical education identified a need for enhanced medical nutrition training, particularly the application of nutrition to a clinical context. 44 Given continued deficits in healthcare professional nutrition competency, there is a need for engaging, scalable training-based solutions to increase capacity, such as the MTK initiative and the Nutrition Education Policy in Healthcare Practice (NEPHELP) project developed by NNEdPro.…”