New UK institute to spearhead healthier diets for the elderly

21 Oct 2020 --- The University of East Anglia, UK, is teaming up with a number of research groups in the East of England to investigate healthier diets for elderly people.

Researchers will form an institute called the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging (NIHA). They will include over 200 scientific researchers from the university who will work with existing institutions and local government to help implement dietary changes. 

NIHA director Professor Anne Marie Minihane says that the institute’s aim is primarily to realize findings that have long been established in research but never had significant social impact. 

“We have a long background in research on nutrition and health, but despite many years of research, diets are actually still quite poor. Recent research in the British Medical Journal found that less than 0.1 percent of people follow basic dietary recommendations.” 

The institute says it will be taking a practical approach to these issues, rather than simply focusing on further scientific inquiry. 

“We will see human health as a composite of many different factors like diet, smoking and exercise. Usually, researchers will isolate specific behavioral factors but the NIHA will bring them together,” adds Minihane. 

A growing elderly population presents a needed opportunity for nutrition innovation.Aging populations are growing due to medical interventions, but often elderly people face poor health due to their lifestyle choices. This is represented in the rate of disease, Minihane explains. 

“The average person in the UK spends around 15 to 20 years living with a clinical diagnosis of a disease, such as type II diabetes or heart disease,” she remarks. 

However, many people lead a low quality of life at old age without necessarily facing disease, she continues. “We think of health in a broader remit than disease diagnosis. We need to add life to years along with years to life.” 

New industry opportunities 
The NIHA will be looking to converge research with local councils’ health departments to target areas that have been highlighted for inequality and deprivation. 

“The idea is that we develop strategies and infrastructure to help communities adopt healthier eating behaviors and improve their overall nutrition,” says Minihane. 

NIHA’s opening is expected to present new opportunities for industry to become involved in bettering living standards. 

“Often, the interventions we implement are collaborations with industry professionals, which is something we do on an ongoing basis – we look at bioactives, for example, and we co-produce new products and innovations to further our cause,” Minihane notes. 

“We are definitely looking for more industry partnerships. We are major players in the UK and globally for healthy eating, and this is a major opportunity to bring needed change,” she concludes. 

“The expanding population of elderly people presents a challenge and opportunity alike for researchers, governments and industry innovators.” 

By Louis Gore-Langton