New Frontiers of Nutrition

CONTEXT

Food is fundamental for health. Globally, dietary risk factors are estimated to cause 11 million deaths (20% of total) and the loss of 255 million years (disability adjusted life-years) due to ill-health, disability, or early death - annually. The negative impact of poor nutrition, which manifests itself in conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension were heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nutrition is also inextricably linked to brain health (cognition, moods, memory).

Furthermore, the hidden costs associated with diet related risks are significant. According to the UN’s Scientific Group, Food Systems Summit, the food system is valued at $9 trillion. However, the hidden costs are estimated to add up to $20 trillion with $11 trillion linked to poor health outcomes followed by $7 trillion in environmental costs.

Although research shows that consumers want to lead healthier lives, they lack access and information. There is a need to create systemic solutions by elevating nutrition as essential to achieving holistic health and well-being through preventative and healthier patterns of consumption.

This initiative convenes diverse stakeholders to shape transformative solutions to elevate nutrition as a key enabler of responsible consumption and societal resilience. 

MISSION

Transform lives through the power of nutrition.

VISION

By 2050, nutritious food choices are widely available, accessible, and adopted at scale. This positive societal shift is enabling people to lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

GOALS:

Identify key pathways to markedly accelerate the availability, access, and adoption of nutritious food choices to empower holistic health and wellbeing:

−     Align on the “true purpose of nutrition” and identify pathways to the “diets of the future”.

−     Develop the case for new economic value creation. 

−     Leverage innovation and technology to make nutritious and healthier options the norm. 

−     Identify principles and measurements to sustain long-term positive nutrition outcomes for consumers.  

This work is advanced as part of the Centre for Health and Healthcare and in collaboration with the Forum’s Food Systems Initiative to ensure a holistic transition to healthy and sustainable diets.