Conference to Discuss Nutrition, Healthy Ageing and Policy

27/09/07 People are living longer and the unprecedented ageing of whole populations has wide-ranging implications for public health and society as a whole. Most important of all is the impact of good nutrition on the maintenance of health, well-being and healthy life expectancy. A conference sponsored by the UK Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) at the Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London, on Tuesday 6th November 2007. The purpose of the conference is to create greater awareness of the issues, challenges and research needs and to provide a wake-up call for policymakers and health professionals. Speakers will focus on healthcare needs and nutritional support strategies that could help modulate the age-related changes in most organ functions and the development and progression of many chronic diseases.

Agenda topics include how vitamin D and calcium can boost bone health, the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular health, cognitive performance and joint mobility and the benefits of vitamins and minerals on healthy ageing. Reductions in muscle mass and muscle strength and other functional impairments are common in old age. The expert speakers at the conference will explore the factors that influence nutritional status in older people and seek solutions to delay the onset of the physical and cognitive changes and to extend healthy life expectancy.

The meeting will be chaired by Professor Peter Aggett, Head of the School of Health and Postgraduate Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire, and speakers include Dr Anne Minihane from the University of Reading, Professor Hans Konrad Biesalski, Head of the Department of Biological Chemistry and Human Nutrition at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, Paul Cann from the international charity Help the Aged, Professor Judy Buttriss from the British Nutrition Foundation, Dr Susan Lanham-New and Professor Margaret Rayman from the University of Surrey, and Dr Tony Leeds from King’s College, University of London.

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion on the science and public policy issues. Among those taking part will be Professor Janet Lord from the University of Birmingham and Professor John Mathers from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The panel will discuss how nutrition and the application of research can help support the growing elderly population and how greater priority can be given to promoting awareness of the power of good nutrition in healthy ageing.

www.crn-uk.org