Researchers: Edith J M Feskens, Regan Bailey, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Hans-Konrad Biesalski, Heather Eicher-Miller, Klaus Krämer, Wen-Harn Pan, James C Griffiths
Sex differences are an important consideration when researching and establishing policies for nutrition and optimal health. For women’s health, there are important physiologic, neurologic, and hormonal distinctions throughout the lifecycle that impact nutritional needs. Distinct from those for men, these nutritional needs must be translated into appropriate nutrition policy that aims to not only avoid overt nutritional deficiency, but also to promote health and minimize risk for chronic disease. Through a series of webinars, scientific experts discussed the advances in the understanding of the unique nutritional needs, challenges and opportunities of the various life stages for women across the life course and identified emerging nutritional interventions that may be beneficial for women. Nevertheless, there is concern that existing nutrition policy intended for women’s health is falling short with examples of programs that are focused more on delivering calories than achieving optimal nutrition. To be locally effective, targeted nutrition needs to offer different proposals for different cultural, socio-economic, and geographic communities, and needs to be applicable at all stages of growth and development. There must be adequate access to nutritious foods, and the information to understand and implement proven nutritional opportunities. Experts provided recommendations for improvement of current entitlement programs that will address accessibility and other social and environmental issues to support women properly throughout the lifecycle.
References
- Sex Differences Across the Life Course: A Focus On Unique Nutritional and Health Considerations among Women.
- Science-based policy: targeted nutrition for all ages and the role of bioactives.
- Nutrition interventions for healthy ageing across the lifespan: a conference report.
- Healthy ageing: the natural consequences of good nutrition-a conference report.
- Optimal nutrition and the ever-changing dietary landscape: a conference report.