Article by EFAD ESDN Obesity

This month, EFAD's ESDN Obesity published the article Dietetic management of obesity in Europe: Gaps in current practice in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Two surveys collected data on existing dietetic guidelines and the current practice of dietitians, to highlight the need for a more unified approach in the dietetic management of obesity in Europe.

Results from the EFAD research project supported by California Prunes Board

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of dentists and dietitians on diet and dental health.

Published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics this month, read Health professionals’ knowledge, views and advice on diet and dental health: a survey of UK and Ireland dietitians and dentists.

Exploring where European dietitians work

A new EFAD survey confirms that almost four out of five European dietitians work in the health sector. While this may not be a surprise to most, the survey did find that geographical differences existed. Central and Northern European dietitians work in the public sector, whereas in southern European dietitians work in the private sector or as freelancers. 

The Research and Evidence Based Practice Committee (REBPC) developed the survey towards the end of 2018 as a result of a lack of data on where dietitians worked at national or European levels. The REBPC linked in with National Dietitians’ Associations (NDAs) so they could circulate the online survey among their delegates to capture this data. 

The survey launched in August 2019 and closed February 2020. A total of 1,156 dietitians from 25 separate countries participated in the survey. The majority worked either in the public or in the private sector (67%), leaving a relatively small number working exclusively as freelancers (17%). The majority of central and northern European dietitians (i.e. Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) reported working in the public sector. The southern European dietitians had a different location for the work - predominantly those in Greece and Italy working in freelancing and those in Spain mixing the freelancing with the private sector. While most dietitians reported working in the health sector (~80%), only about 5% work in the food sector and 7% in other settings like academia, research, schools, sports facilities or pharmaceutical companies. 

The REBPC is keen to repeat this survey with a greater number of both participants and NDAs so we can monitor the evolution of the dietitian workplace over time. 

We would like to thank all the dietitians who participated and NDAs who supported this work.

The EFAD REBPC

ESDN Obesity gives successful presentation on insulin resistance for OPEN-EU members

EFAD is partner of OPEN-EU, the organisation that works in Europe to improve obesity recognition and management. OPEN-EU has partners such as Cancer Europe and works closely with the European Parliament.

ESDN Obesity Deputy Chair Ellen Govers (pictured above) gave a presentation on insulin resistance at the OPEN-EU members policy meeting, which was very well received. 

Focusing on insulin resistance may help detect comorbidities at an early stage and because it focuses on health - rather than on weight and appearance - makes it possible to reduce obesity stigma.

Calls for officers

EFAD is now looking for enthusiastic dietitian colleagues for its ESDN committees. Please click here to see which roles are available.

Edible insects assessed by EFSA as 'novel food'

The European Food Safety Authority has completed an assessment of the safety of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food.

Insect-derived foods are often reported as a source of protein for the diet. The novelty of using insects in food has led to high interest from the public and the media, so EFSA’s scientific assessments are essential for the policymakers who will decide whether or not to authorise these products before they can be put on the EU market.

Food labelling: EU Commission launches IT tool to retrieve indications

The Food Labelling Information System provides a user friendly IT solution which enables its users to select the food and automatically retrieve the mandatory EU labelling indications in 23 EU languages. The system also provides links to the relevant legal provisions and existing guidance documents.

Click here to access the tool.
 

PEN looks at food trends for 2021

Find out what food trends look set to continue in 2021 on the PEN Nutrition website here.
 

WHO urges governments to promote healthy food in public facilities

Public settings, such as schools, childcare centres, nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities and all other canteens in public institutions can play a key role in ensuring people are provided with healthy food and helping prevent the eight million annual deaths currently caused by unhealthy diets.

A new WHO Action framework for developing and implementing public food procurement and service policies for a healthy diet aims to increase the availability of healthy food through setting nutrition criteria for food served and sold in public settings.

Find out more here.

EFAD joins ENHA in call for nutritional care to be included in EU policy

EFAD has joined other European nutritional organisations in signing the European Nutrition for Health Alliance's (ENHA) call to action to MEPs to include nutrition and nutritional care in EU health policies, such as EU4Health and in particular Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

The letter was signed by ENHA partners including EFAD President Annemieke van Ginkel-Res. It was sent to MEP Sara Cerdas, Vice Chair of the Special Committee on Beating Cancer, and said: "We call upon the Special Committee on Beating Cancer to urge the Commission to integrate optimal nutritional care in Europe’s Beating Cancer plan.

"It will significantly contribute to its objectives of better patient outcomes and improved quality of life."

EFAD endorses EHMA and Health First Europe Joint Statement

EHMA and Health First Europe's Joint Statement on Profiling and training the health care workers of the future has been endorsed by EFAD.

The Joint Statement provides insights into best practices in the health workforce education to be shared across borders. It provides a set of concluding recommendations to inform and advise the European Commission and the EU Members States on health care workforce education, training, and planning for the future of care, identifying the necessary skill mix and the areas in which greater EU collaboration and best practice sharing are needed.

Read and endorse the Joint Statement through the button below and share it on your social channels using #EUWorkforce4care.

Last chance to win €2,500 for best scientific paper

Final call: Alpro Foundation's Scientific Paper Award for Young Scientists.

If you or someone in your network had a research paper published in 2020 dealing with the impact of plant-based eating on health and/or the environment, all you need to do is upload your paper on the website. The deadline is 31 January.

Click here to find out more and enter.

Final call: World Public Health Nutrition Association's article writing contest

The World Public Health Nutrition Association's (WPHNA) article writing contest is open for submissions until 10 February. Winning articles will be published in their World Nutrition Journal. Read the submission checklist here.

ESPEN Webinar, 22 February

ESPEN Practical Guideline on Nutrition in Cancer Patients: A multidisciplinary approach. From 3pm - 4.20pm, register for free here.
 

ECO2021, 10 - 13 May

The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) is pleased to announce that the 28th annual European Congress on Obesity, #ECO2021, will be held online from 10-13 May 2021. Find out more here.

NUTRICON 2021 Congress, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, 9 - 11 June

NUTRICON 2021 is bringing together the scientific and expert work of food professionals to gain comprehensive insight and understanding of today's food quality, safety, health, and nutrition issues. Register here.
 

EFPC Annual Conference, Bergen, Norway, 5 - 7 September

The EFPC has announced its 2021 annual conference with a focus on the future of primary and long-term care. Submit abstracts by 1 May here.