Beyond The Headlines: USDA moves to improve global food security, Novo Nordisk and UNICEF combat childhood obesity

22 Sep 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) committed funds to bolster global food security. At the same time, Novo Nordisk and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) extended their partnership to fight childhood obesity through education and food literacy programs. Meanwhile, Dexcom joined forces with the RxFood Corporation to launch an app that accompanies its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.

In brief: Nutrition news
The USDA committed US$455 million to help improve global food systems and food security.The USDA committed US$455 million to enhance global food security and international capacity-building efforts, utilizing over 375,000 metric tons of US commodities. The Food for Progress program will sell these commodities in local and regional markets, using the proceeds to bolster both short- and long-term food security through agricultural value chain development and trade promotion activities. The McGovern-Dole program will directly provide commodities to hungry school children, addressing hunger and promoting education. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the McGovern-Dole program’s significant impact over two decades, providing school meals and support to over 31 million children and families in 48 countries. This year, US$230 million will be allocated for new school feeding projects through the McGovern-Dole program in Cameroon, Haiti, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Togo. Additionally, the Food for Progress program will receive US$225 million to enhance agricultural productivity and global trade of agricultural products, with investments in Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nepa and Togo. These programs are earmarked to combat food insecurity and promote climate-smart agriculture adaptation. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will oversee both programs.

Also, Novo Nordisk and UNICEF extended their partnership to combat global childhood overweight and obesity for three more years. Novo Nordisk will invest US$8 million to accelerate efforts to create healthier environments for children, with the goal of benefiting at least 10 million children. The partnership will focus on Latin America, the Caribbean, East Asia and the Pacific regions, with in-depth work in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Indonesia. The approach involves policy implementation and innovations that support children in eating well and being physically active. The partnership will advocate for school food environment regulations, monitor unhealthy food marketing to children online, pilot interventions to improve urban food retail environments and strengthen nutrition labeling regulations. Childhood overweight and obesity affect millions globally, with a significant impact on low- and middle-income countries. This partnership seeks systemic changes to address this growing public health issue.

Dexcom, a global leader in CGM for diabetes, has partnered with the Canada-based RxFood Corporation to introduce an innovative digital health solution for diabetes management. The RxFood app, integrated with Dexcom CGM glucose data, is now available to healthcare program stakeholders across Canada, including clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, insurers and employers. Users of Dexcom’s G6 and G7 CGM systems will have access to a combination of food and glucose data, offering a personalized understanding of their health and glucose control. The RxFood app allows users to photograph their meals, eliminating the need for manual food tracking. It then generates diet quality metrics combined with glucose data, providing patients and clinicians with comprehensive reports for improved diabetes management and personalized nutritional guidance. Clinical trials have shown positive results, including enhanced carbohydrate counting accuracy and reduced A1C levels.Novo Nordisk and UNICEF extended their partnership to combat childhood obesity through education and activity programs.

In Brief: Business news
Novozymes OneHealth Biotechnology and Hubei Juneyao Health Drinks revealed the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership at the 14th Asian Congress of Nutrition. This partnership aims to advance the probiotics industry and Chinese health brands. Juneyao Health, a leading Chinese probiotics company, will soon launch a new generation of probiotic products utilizing international and domestic technologies to improve quality and efficacy. Novozymes OneHealth, the human health unit of biotech player Novozymes, will provide its star probiotic strain, IBme, for use in Juneyao Health’s next-generation products. The partnership will focus on areas like information exchange, scientific research cooperation, new product development and market promotion.

Trace Minerals will unveil seven new products to expand its offerings at the Natural Products Expo East event in Philadelphia, US, from September 20-23. The offerings include multi gummies for men, women and children with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as an improved liquid multivitamin and mineral offering with enhanced flavor and bioavailability. The company said the highlight would be the introduction of three new forms of magnesium glycinate – a powder, capsules and a liquid form. The company stated that the new products all incorporate full-spectrum ionic trace minerals from its ConcenTrace range.

Nature’s Way Canada released NutraSea Omega 3 Kids Gummy Chews in partnership with Vitux AS’s ConCordix technology. According to the company, the gummies are designed to provide a high-potency and enjoyable omega 3 supplement for children. With ten times more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) than leading omega 3 gummies and with added vitamin D3, the gummies support healthy growth and development in children ages three and up. Nature’s Way Canada states it sought a clean label and appealing taste for the gummies. It achieved this with its tropical citrus flavor – a blend of passion fruit, lemon and lime. Moreover, each gummy chew delivers 500 mg of EPA and DHA, along with 500 IUs of vitamin D3. The company further added that the one-a-day gummy format offers consumers a convenient alternative to traditional omega-3 supplements.A clinical trial suggests that supplementing with creatine reduced the effects of COVID-19-related fatigue.

In brief: Scientific studies
A recent US-based study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, has found that very young children who attend childcare and receive onsite meals and snacks are more likely to be food secure and in good health. They are also less likely to be admitted to the hospital after an emergency department visit compared to children in childcare whose meals and snacks are provided from home. This research suggests potential benefits that extend to families and society as a whole through potential reductions in stress and significant healthcare cost savings. The study included 3,084 children from low-income households with a childcare subsidy. Children receiving meals and snacks from childcare facilities were 30% less likely to live in food-insecure households, 39% less likely to be in fair or poor health, and 41% less likely to be admitted to the hospital from the emergency department compared to those with parent-provided meals and snacks. The study also highlights the importance of childcare feeding programs, particularly the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP), in supporting young children’s health and their families’ food security. Opportunities to strengthen CACFP include increasing funding levels, reducing administrative barriers and raising reimbursement rates to support the cost of healthy foods.

A clinical trial published in Food Science & Nutrition has shown that dietary creatine, an amino acid essential for muscle and brain health, may benefit individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome, commonly known as long COVID. In the trial, 12 participants with post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome were given either a placebo or a 4 g dose of creatine monohydrate daily for six months. The results revealed a significant increase in creatine levels in leg muscles and throughout the brain at both the 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. Moreover, creatine supplementation led to a notable reduction in general fatigue after 3 months and significantly improved scores for various post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome-related symptoms, including loss of taste, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches and concentration problems, at the 6-month follow-up. The research team emphasized that the findings show the potential importance of endorsing creatine in addressing this prevalent condition. However, further research is needed to validate these findings in different post-COVID-19 patient groups.

By William Bradford Nichols