by The double burden of malnutrition and diet-related diseases has been attributed to diets high in ultra-processed and convenience foods with elevated sugar, saturated fat and sodium content, and insufficient dietary fibre.
A study funded by a2 Milk Company sought to determine the highest priority nutrients or those with the highest potential to address this issue in ANZ.
The study, which assessed nutrient intake data from recent ANZ nutrition surveys, found that 22 out of 31 essential nutrients were consumed below government recommended levels in at least one demographic group .
Nutritional insufficiency was evident across all demographic groups, from seven in children to 16 in men and older adults.
Although the number and specification of nutrients varied between demographic groups, there was considerable consistency in the nutrients found to be of greatest importance worldwide.
Within the total population, six nutrients—namely vitamin D, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, folate, and dietary fiber—were identified as primary nutrients in deficiency.
The researchers noted that this is due not only to obvious insufficiency, but also to increased health needs and priorities.
“The following two major issues are: malnutrition and diseases related to independent and integrated diet – nutritional deficiency can affect normal physiology, but may contribute, directly or indirectly, to the development of diseases related to one or more diets.
“For example, calcium had a relatively low number of preferred health associations, and intake levels were comparable to the recommended Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). However, nutritional insufficiency was high, with up to 94% not meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), so the prevalence of calcium-related diseases is likely to increase.”
Overall, the level of nutritional insufficiency in ANZ was found to be high, within all demographic groups and the population as a whole.
“Our findings help to understand which nutrients to prioritize to protect the health of ANZ’s populations for the future.
“Regardless of the underlying mechanism, increased intakes are needed for each of the priority nutrients, and targeting these nutrients in public nutrition policy and nutrition messaging, including the promotion of foods that provide these nutrients.”
Boost intake
In particular, vitamin D has emerged as a priority nutrient for all demographic groups.
This finding is consistent with recent data showing that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is very high and may be increasing.
On the other hand, vitamin D was the only priority nutrient for pregnant and lactating women, indicating that a targeted focus may be needed within this demographic group.
Likewise, each demographic group had a unique set of preferred nutrients, meaning that they should be given special attention to optimally support the health of those within that group.
For example, five (zinc, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and magnesium) of six priority nutrients identified for men were associated with support for anxiety and depression.
“Despite being recognized as a health priority, concerns and worries have been largely ignored and/or underreported among male adults. This emphasizes the need to prioritize these nutrients,” the researchers said.
In addition to a focus on specific priority nutrients, dietary and food-based recommendations can aid their intake.
“While folate and dietary fiber are primarily found in plant-based sources, the main dietary contributors of vitamin D and calcium are animal foods, both of which can contain magnesium. Some foods also provide more than one preferred nutrient. For example, fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, and dairy milk in calcium and magnesium.
“Identifying and targeting key foods that provide priority nutrients may be an effective way to address the lowest-hanging fruits of both malnutrition and diet-related disease burdens.”
Concerns about changing diets
The current plant-based trend, combined with increased demand for meat and dairy alternatives, may lead to a further reduction in staple nutrient consumption.
“Concern has been expressed regarding the use of plant-based milk alternatives, rather than fortified milk, due to nutritional inequity. In children, this substitution has been suggested to have serious consequences for metabolic health.
“Given that calcium intake has been identified as insufficient in ANZ, for whom dairy products are the main source of nutrition, a greater shift from dairy milk to plant-based milk may exacerbate these inadequacies.”
The researchers emphasized the need for a balanced approach, especially when formulating nutritional guidelines.
“Future research needs to focus on identifying and promoting foods that contribute to preferred nutrient intake, while supporting sustainability efforts and taking cost into account.”
Each nutrient interacts and acts synergistically with other dietary nutrients, both within foods and within the body after digestion and absorption.
Thus, inadequacies in priority nutrients may affect the supply and activity of other nutrients, and subsequent health outcomes.
“Although this study focused on ANZ populations, the methodology adopted can be applied globally to determine and communicate nutrients for priority and nutrition, a cornerstone of reducing diet-related diseases ,” the researchers concluded.
Source: Borders
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1370550
“Priority nutrients to address malnutrition and diet-related diseases in Australia and New Zealand”
Authors: Carlene S. Starck, et al
