33^rd European Nutrition and Dietetics Conference

Public Health Nutrition and Health Claims

6 Public Health Nutrition and Health Claims: Proper nutrition stands as a cornerstone of maintaining optimal health, prompting public health professionals to prioritize ensuring the population's nutritional adequacy. Public health nutrition focuses on disease prevention, enhancing longevity, and fostering well-being through sound nutritional practices. When individuals fail to maintain a nutritious diet, they become more susceptible to diseases, illnesses, and other health challenges. Public health nutritionists work tirelessly to enhance people's health and wellness by imparting knowledge about food and nutrition, guiding them towards healthier choices, fostering supportive environments, and advocating for health-promoting policies.

Health claims refer to assertions made about the health benefits of consuming specific foods as part of a balanced diet. Foods carrying health claims may aid in reducing the risk of various ailments such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. When incorporated into a healthy and balanced dietary regimen, such foods can contribute to lowering disease risks. To merit approval, health claims must meet the FDA's stringent criteria for significant scientific consensus, ensuring that experts concur on the validity and substance of the scientific evidence supporting the claim.

Themes covered:

• Nutrient Content Claim
• Structure/Function Claims
• Dietary Patterns
• Disease Prevention
• Epidemiological Factors Influencing Public Health
• Ethics and Laws
• Health and Hygiene
• Healthier Lifestyle
• Nutrient Density
• Public Health Governance