A healthier future? Four research priority areas for food and diet
Related topics
Food & Healthy Diet Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, maritime and martime inland water research and bio-economydate: 27/11/2014
In the EU, life expectancy increases by 2.5 years per decade, but only 75-80% of total life expectancy is spent in good health. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or cancer, as well as poor lifestyle choices such as unhealthy diets constitute a major health challenge.
This study implies that our future diet will be tailored to individual needs. Research should focus on creating the necessary underpinning knowledge while defining the framework, risks and benefits of individualised dietary advice.
It highlights the need for a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to make foods and diets healthier. The whole food system needs to be addressed to reduce the importance of diet as a risk factor for chronic diseases.
Effective policies are identified as a major area where more research is needed to support the development of a future-proof food system. A better understanding of the complexities of human nutrition and strong scientific evidence could create the basis for successful and coherent policy-making focused on prevention. Science-based tools and methodologies are needed to translate scientific evidence into easy to understand dietary guidelines and to ensure their take-up.
The report is being released at an international conference on future-oriented technology analysis "Engage today to shape tomorrow", taking place on 27-28 November in Brussels. The event, organised by the European Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), focuses on the strategic foresight, forecasting and assessment of future technologies.
Background
The foresight study was carried out by the European Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and co-financed by DG Research and Innovation. It focuses on the European consumer, considering various factors that influence dietary habits such as lifestyle, working patterns, food supply or economic situation. The aim is to help policymakers formulate and prioritise research needs. The study will support the identification of research priorities for funding under Horizon 2020, and can also be used by relevant stakeholders and interested parties to trigger further discussions on the future food system.
For more information
- Link to the Report and Annexes
- FTA 2014 conference
- Contact: RTD-RESEARCH-PRESS@ec.europa.eu