A Happy New Year to all.
The Trustees met yesterday (28 January) for their first meeting of 2021. We felt it would be appropriate to update members on the early plans we have for the year ahead, which initially will see a continuation of the need for a flexible approach to planning our scientific meetings, whilst remaining as proactive as is feasibly possible.
A report published by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) on the role of saturated fats in health concluded there's no need to change current advice; we should be following dietary patterns that are lower in saturated fats, and opting for foods that have a higher proportion of unsaturated fats.
Food manufacturers, suppliers and caterers have a particular responsibility in helping people to do this, but how can they lower saturated fats within the food chain, and what implications may this have for health?
Following a review of the structure of the scientific Themes, a revised model has been agreed by the Trustees. The current structure has been expanded to four Themes to better support the membership and recognise emerging areas of nutrition research. The Themes will be supported through 'Theme Teams' and 'Special Interest Groups' (SIGs). Each Theme will be led by an appointed Theme Lead.
Registration for the Summer Conference 2021 will open soon. This page is specifically for online attendees.
In light of the current situation surrounding COVID-19 and the extended closures of institutions that have ensued, the abstract submission deadline for the Summer Conference has been extended to 16 April.
Registration for the Summer Conference 2021 is now open. This page is specifically for in-person attendance.
In light of the current situation surrounding COVID-19 and the extended closures of institutions that have ensued, the abstract submission deadline for the Summer Conference has been extended to 16 April.
The Conference will be online. Registration is now open.
The NSTA's obesity series provides a more in-depth overview of the increasing issue of obesity not only in the UK, but globally. This 6 part series provides an opportunity to hear from leading experts in their respective areas of obesity research. From childhood obesity, through to the effects of obesity on ageing, whilst also debating whether society or the individual is responsible for the issue of obesity, and essentially what needs to be done to reduce the increasing prevalence including lectures from:
The relationship between obesity and cognitive function is becoming clearer. Mid-life obesity has been cited as a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in later life and this risk is reported to be independent of comorbidities. Obesity is however, associated with many comorbidities known to adversely impact cognitive function such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes has been associated with impairments across a wide range of cognitive domains.
Obesity is a major public health and societal issue, with two- thirds of adults above a healthy weight and 1 in 3 children being overweight when they leave primary school. Not only this, but the highest prevalence of obesity is amongst those living with socio-economic difficulties.
Increasing prevalence of obesity is a global issue. Flow-on consequences are significant and multi-sector, with a current example being the worse health outcomes of COVID-19 infection in obese individuals.
Multiple approaches to reduce obesity have been considered, trialed and/or implemented with variable success. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence of overall impact of these approaches to reduce rates of obesity.
Membership of our global nutritional science community offers a host of benefits, from access to the latest evidence based research to event discounts and travel grants.
Find out more about our history, from how the Nutrition Society was first established, to how we’ve become the largest learned Society in Europe today.