Title: Current Issues in Research and Practice
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Section/SPIG: Food and Nutrition
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Public Health Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition is an international, peer-reviewed journal focusing on the promotion of good health through nutrition and the primary prevention of nutrition-related illness in the population.
This year PHN has increased its frequency to eight issues to properly reflect the increase in original research papers, topical review articles and other literature in the field. Topics covered include: nutritional epidemiology - studies relating nutrition to health or disease risk; nutrition-related health promotion; evaluation of effectiveness of intervention studies aimed at improving health; role of nutrition in high risk and vulnerable groups; development of research methods, validation of measures, calibration; and population-based research related to primary prevention of illness.
CABI Publishing on behalf of the UK Nutrition Society publishes PHN. More details on all the Nutrition Society journals can be found at <www.cabi-publishing.org> with instructions for authors and sample copies available. If you would like to subscribe, please contact Richard Sullivan at <r.sullivan@cabi.org>.
Report by World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that fruit and vegetable intake lowers cancer risk
Yet another endorsement for eating fruits and vegetables is given by a recent report from WHO's cancer research agency. On March 24, 2003, the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) released findings from an extensive review of current knowledge and research on the link between dietary intake of fruit and vegetables and cancer. The group of 22 scientists (from 10 countries) concluded that findings from both human studies and animal experimental studies indicate that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of various types of cancer, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. This confirms findings of a recent study by Japanese researchers.
In many studies, there is a consistent association of higher levels of fruits and vegetables intake with some reduction in cancer risk, said Professor Paul Kleihues, director of the IARC. This, plus the evidence of beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables on other major diseases such as heart disease, indicates that individuals and communities should increase their intake of these foods. He said the findings were important for governments, the food industry and consumers.
The clearest evidence of a cancer-protective effect from eating more fruits is for stomach, lung and esophageal cancers. Similarly, a higher intake of vegetables probably reduces the incidence of cancers of the esophagus and colon-rectum.
The working group estimated that approximately one in 10 cancers in Western populations are due to an insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables. Similar, although variable, fractions apply to other populations around the world, and may be higher in regions where the intake of fruits and vegetables is lower.
The group's chairman, Professor Tony McMichael from the Australian National University, stated that long-term follow-up studies involving large numbers from the general population would provide higher-quality information about evidence of diet-cancer relationship. His team met for a week in Lyon, France, to conduct their review.
Trans Fat Labels: Helping Americans Make Healthy Choices
July 9, 2003
We are empowering Americans to make healthier choices about the foods they eat. This new information will give consumers a more complete picture of foods' fat content, allowing them to choose foods low in trans fat, saturated and cholesterol, all of which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Secretary Thompson announced that food labels will be required to list the amount of trans fatty acids, or trans fat, to give consumers better information for choosing a healthier diet. The new requirement will mean that manufacturers of most conventional foods and some dietary supplements will need to list in the Nutrition Facts panel the trans fat content of the product, in addition to the information about its overall fat content and saturated fat content.
The new label is part of FDA's broader efforts to inform consumers more effectively about the health consequences of their dietary choices. FDA hopes to further improve the nutrition label to provide clearer, up-to-date guidance on a healthy overall diet. FDA also is working to increase the focus on health in food product development and promotion and is encouraging research that would foster greater science-based competition among food producers to improve health.
Eat Smart. Play Hard. TM Web Site - Increasing Access to Nutrition Resources
On Feb. 25, 2003, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ann Veneman announced the launch of the new USDA, Food and Nutrition Service "Eat Smart. Play Hard." The Web site provides nutrition educators with direct access to the Campaign's resources. The site contains a variety of tools that educators can use to promote healthy eating and activity to youth and their caregivers.
An order form for materials is located on the site at <www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard>, but most materials can be downloaded. These resources include posters, activity sheets for kids, parent brochures, posters, stickers, guidance materials, and information about use of the Power Panther TM character and costume. The "Eat Smart. Play Hard." Web site received about 150,000 hits during 2002, and the new site is expected to attract many more consumers.
The Web site is a component of the USDA "Eat Smart. Play Hard." TM Campaign, a key administrative action of President Bush's Healthier United States Initiative. The Campaign is designed to promote positive changes in eating and physical activity behaviors of preschool and school-aged children and their caregivers.