The 3rd Nutrition and Health Conference, the Excel Conference Centre, London, 29-30 November 2002

Citation

(2003), "The 3rd Nutrition and Health Conference, the Excel Conference Centre, London, 29-30 November 2002", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2003.01733bac.002

The 3rd Nutrition and Health Conference, the Excel Conference Centre, London, 29-30 November 2002

The 3rd Nutrition and Health Conference, the Excel Conference Centre, London, 29-30 November 2002

This conference was well attended by dietitians, nutritionists, students, and included representatives from the community health services and from the food industry;

Key sessions included:

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  Diet and cancer. Papers discussed "Diet and cancer prevention", "New WHO/FAO guidelines for diet and cancer" and "Diet and the cancer patient". The first two emphasised the important role of fruit and vegetables in the diet.

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  Brain nutrition. "Dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and the autism spectrum and the role of diet" focussed on the role of highly unsaturated fatty acids. "Vitamins and dementia" discussed the role of homocysteine. Impaired levels of this were shown to be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. "Food cravings and addictions" were defined as a strong desire to eat a certain food.

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  Coronary heart disease (CHD). This session covered the topics of "Wholegrains and coronary heart disease" and indicated that the evidence which showed that three portions of wholegrain cereals were recommended, per day, may have an important effect on CHD. Diet and homocysteine was discussed. Homocysteine is formed from methionine and affected by factors such as B vitamins, protein and coffee consumption.

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  A discussion of up-to-date topics of "Functional foods in paediatrics" and "Micronutrient intake in the UK".

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  Gut nutrition. This session included a paper on "Food sensitivity". The complexity of this area was detailed and the confirmation made that there is no test for food sensitivity currently available but that a diagnosis is dependent on an exclusion diet. "Dietary management of inflammatory bowel disease" covered all of the nutritional factors involved in the condition. "Comparing probiotics and prebiotics for gut function" compared the efficacy of the use of the two substances. It was shown that less evidence is available for prebiotics, as they are more recently recognised than probiotics. "Disordered eating" discussed the dietary approaches in working with those with eating disorders. "Enteral feeding in the community" provided information on the increasing numbers of individuals who are being artificially fed, for medical reasons.

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  Diet and lifestyle interventions. This session included three papers, one of which was on "Prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes". In this paper, there was a description of how high-risk individuals were targeted and encouraged to alter their diet and increase their physical activity. "Treatment and management of obesity" describing the "Inch loss plan", as shown on GMTV. The presentations concluded with one on "Secondary prevention of heart disease", which described the importance of encouraging those with established CHD to improve their lifestyle.

There were a number of workshops at lunch time on both days, which were extremely well attended.

Throughout the exhibition there was also a number of trade stands and exhibitions which could be viewed by delegates.

The 4th Nutrition and Health Conference will be held at the Excel Centre on 21-22 November 2003. Details from the organiser at 16 Brownlow Ct, Lyttelton Rd, London, N2 OEA.