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.

EFAD Education Associate Members meeting - Tuesday 1 December 1pm CET

With the General Meeting being held virtually in October, we felt it was better to have the Education Associate Members meeting at a different time. Hence we will meet over lunchtime on 1 December at 13:00 CET. Please get in touch with us on Aquesta adreça de correu-e està protegida dels robots de spam.Necessites Javascript habilitat per veure-la. if you require the meeting link.

The meeting is open for EFAD Education Associate Members. Education Associate Membership is open to Higher Education Institutions that are legally constituted organisations which can support the role, profession and work of dietitians in Europe from any country in the WHO European Region, who share EFAD’s ethics and values and who are willing and able to make a positive contribution to the work of EFAD. If your institution wishes to join, please contact Aquesta adreça de correu-e està protegida dels robots de spam.Necessites Javascript habilitat per veure-la. for more information on the procedure.

New Karger publication

Karger are releasing a new health journal in December aimed at dietitians and nutrition scientists, titled Kompass Nutrition & Dietetics.

It will be put together by Karger in cooperation with EFAD, and will be published twice per year in a digital format: in Fall/Winter and in Spring. Every issue will be dedicated to a thematic focus. The first issue focuses on COVID-19.

More information on Kompass Nutrition & Dietetics can be found at karger.com/knd (once the journal has been launched). You can view the video on the Kompass Concept here.

Optimal Nutrition Care for All (ONCA) campaign updates

Greece is officially the 19th member of the Optimal Nutrition Care for All (ONCA) campaign. Read more

New Good Practice document - Implementation of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition for Adult Outpatient

New Good Practice document - Four building blocks for IC recovery

World Cancer Research Fund - Moving & Nourishing databases expanded

The World Cancer Research Fund have updated their policy databases. They've added 66 nutrition policy actions from the UK and Norway, and 189 physical activity policy actions from the Netherlands, UK, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Germany.

If you know of any policies that they can add, please email them at Aquesta adreça de correu-e està protegida dels robots de spam.Necessites Javascript habilitat per veure-la.

Access the databases

World Obesity Federation - new policy brief

The World Obesity Federation are calling for maintaining momentum on childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In their new policy brief, they identify points of intersection between COVID-19 and childhood obesity prevention and management, highlighting priorities for government action.

Read more here

Following the Whole Grain Initiative’s 2nd Annual International Whole Grain Day celebration, you are requested to please promote the social media Whole Grain Pledge which gives everyone the opportunity to do their part in supporting and committing to whole grains! Anyone from consumers to dietitians to non-profits are encouraged to sign the Pledge. Share with your networks, promote to your social media, and show your support by submitting your own call-to-action!

You are encouraged to celebrate International Whole Grain Day in your own way. Share your favourite whole grain recipes, talk about your favourite grains, provide your audience with tips for finding and enjoying whole grains. Just remember to use #internationalWGDay, #makeyourgrainswhole, or #choosewholegrains to help amplify your message!

You can also share your initiatives (e.g. by sending pictures or links) so the Whole Grain Initiative can collect and show them on the WGI webpage, where you can find more information. 

Find out more

Farm to Fork (F2F) Conference Round Up

The Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally friendly, and provide a battery of action to accelerate this transition to a healthier and more sustainable food system.

EFAD was represented at the Farm to Fork 2020 Conference by Teresa Rodrigues and Manuel Moñino as ESDN PH Members.

Access the conference round up here

EONS webinar - 26 November 2020 12pm CET

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) are hosting an educational webinar looking at the issues around cancer and malnutrition.

This initiative aims to educate (oncology) nurses on malnutrition, screening for malnutrition and nutritional care. The project is part of the project #NutriCaNurse led by EONS and supported by MNI. EFAD and ESPEN are contributing to the content. The webinar will be pre-recorded and will be available on the EONS website on-demand as an education resource

Find out more and register

Free EFAD webinar - Sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis: from diagnosis to treatment - 1 December 7-8pm CET

We're organising another free webinar focused on sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis.

The speaker is Fatuma Meyer, a researcher and doctorate student in the EnErGie Project at the Institute for evidence-based dietetics (NIED) at the University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, Germany and registered at the University Medicine Rostock, Germany, as a PhD student. 

Find out more and register

Register for the ENDietS Virtual Students' Day 2020 - 5 December 11AM CET!

This year's theme is "Empowering Students", and our mission is to empower and guide you to become better students, better dietitians, and most importantly, a better version of yourselves!

We will discuss nutrition-related topics but also leadership, presentation, and career improvement skills.

Find out more and register

EASO Advocacy Stakeholder Session webinar - 17 December 2020 2pm GMT

EASO is pleased to announce the first in a series of Advocacy Stakeholder Sessions: a chance for EASO members, partners and constituencies to come together around key issues, and to share perspectives on how to drive change from policies to practice.

Find out more and register

The Space Medicine and Life Sciences (SMLS) group, a sub-group of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), have created a “Space Nutrition” working group, which will focus on decreasing the associated-with-nutrition health risks of human spaceflight programs, increasing the quality of life during human spaceflight programs, and applying knowledge acquired from research about human spaceflight programs to the general population on Earth.

Anyone who would like to brainstorm and propose a project to take this forward is welcome to join. Please email Christina-Ariadni Valagkouti at Aquesta adreça de correu-e està protegida dels robots de spam.Necessites Javascript habilitat per veure-la. to discuss.

Find out more