The Early Nutrition Academy is organizing the INTERNATIONAL COURSE WINTER SCHOOL 2009 "PREGNANCY AND PROGRAMMING" next 9th-13rd February 2009 in Granada, Spain.
The Nutrition Winter School is designed to:
• Offer a comprehensive Curriculum on mother-infant nutritional programming research, literature, and clinical trials.
• Provide well-founded advice on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of early nutrition programming of adult diseases.
• Offer unique opportunities to learn from and interact with expert faculty from various European centres, as well as from participants from around the world interested in early nutrition programming.
• Serve as an introduction to the new opportunities in Early Nutrition Programming research.
More information in www.project-earnest.org and www.nutrimenthe.eu
>Comments on this post?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Seminar on Organic food, health and sustainabilty in schools
The current concerns about negative health impacts of distorted food habits and the future of sustainable food system emphasise the role and possibilities of schools in orientating youth toward sustainable food habits and more broadly responsible consumer behaviour. At an open seminar in Helsinki, Finland, 21st and 22nd of January 2009, research results and current practices related to young people's learning about sustainability, organic food and health will be presented.
See the iPOPY project homepage for more information.
See the iPOPY project homepage for more information.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Belgian Nutrition Society
Belgium, as other countries, faces a number of important public health problems rooted in nutrition. An effective public health policy can only be in place if it can be structurally underpinned by consolidated action based on scientific evidence. In order to achieve this, an efficient mobilization of the existing nutrition expertise is an absolute necessity.
Therefore it was deemed opportune to create a Belgium structure that offers a forum for the multidisciplinary group of scientists in the field of human nutrition and related domains.
Since September 2007, a small group, comprising members of various key scientific institutions in Belgium has met regularly to prepare a blueprint of the structure and statutes of a nutrition society and to determine its main objectives.
The official inauguration of the Belgian Nutrition Society will take place on the 18th of December in Brussels (Palace of Academies).
Registration and participation is free. If you like to attend this meeting, confirm your attendance to info@belgiannutritionsociety.be.
More information is available on: www.belgiannutritionsociety.be
Comment on this post?
Therefore it was deemed opportune to create a Belgium structure that offers a forum for the multidisciplinary group of scientists in the field of human nutrition and related domains.
Since September 2007, a small group, comprising members of various key scientific institutions in Belgium has met regularly to prepare a blueprint of the structure and statutes of a nutrition society and to determine its main objectives.
The official inauguration of the Belgian Nutrition Society will take place on the 18th of December in Brussels (Palace of Academies).
Registration and participation is free. If you like to attend this meeting, confirm your attendance to info@belgiannutritionsociety.be.
More information is available on: www.belgiannutritionsociety.be
Comment on this post?
ENLP Young Investigator Award
The ENLP Young Investigator Award that is now open for applications as part of the activities that the ENLP-Network is organizing within the frame of the 19th International Nutrition Conference.
This award, organized for the first time and supported by the International Union of Nutrition Science, aims to recognize the potential of young scientists to become International Leaders in Nutrition and is open for final year PhD students or postdoctoral fellows under 35 years old from any country .
Full details on the application process can be found on:
http://www.enlp.eu.com/en/basic100008.html
http://www.iuns.org/conferences.htm
Comment on this post?
This award, organized for the first time and supported by the International Union of Nutrition Science, aims to recognize the potential of young scientists to become International Leaders in Nutrition and is open for final year PhD students or postdoctoral fellows under 35 years old from any country .
Full details on the application process can be found on:
http://www.enlp.eu.com/en/basic100008.html
http://www.iuns.org/conferences.htm
Comment on this post?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Vacancy - Scientific Officer, Nutrition (FSA)
Scientific Officer, Nutrition
The post forms part of a small team, within the Nutrition policy and advice branch, which has a major role in the provision of information and advice on healthy eating and nutrition to consumers and other stakeholders.
Ref: SO/515
Salary: £21,608 + benefits
Location: Central London
Closing date for applications: 9am, 8 December 2008
Click here for a detailed job description
Click here for additional information
Comments on this post?
The post forms part of a small team, within the Nutrition policy and advice branch, which has a major role in the provision of information and advice on healthy eating and nutrition to consumers and other stakeholders.
Ref: SO/515
Salary: £21,608 + benefits
Location: Central London
Closing date for applications: 9am, 8 December 2008
Click here for a detailed job description
Click here for additional information
Comments on this post?
Vacancy - Scientific Officer, Food Policy (FSA)
Scientific Officer, Food Policy
Gain insights into how scientific data is translated into policy. The job holder will provide regulatory and technical advice to Government, industry and the general public on a range of food commodities including bottled water, alcoholic drinks and vinegar.
Ref: SO/517
Salary: £21,608 + benefits
Location: Central London
Closing date for applications: 9am, 8 December 2008
Click here for a detailed job description
Click here for additional information
Comments on this post?
Gain insights into how scientific data is translated into policy. The job holder will provide regulatory and technical advice to Government, industry and the general public on a range of food commodities including bottled water, alcoholic drinks and vinegar.
Ref: SO/517
Salary: £21,608 + benefits
Location: Central London
Closing date for applications: 9am, 8 December 2008
Click here for a detailed job description
Click here for additional information
Comments on this post?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Dietary Implications of Supermarket Development: A Global Perspective
Interesting article by Corinna Hawkes has been pulished on the Development Policy Review(2008, 26 (6): 657-692).
The abstract of the article is provided below.
"Five decisions by supermarket operators have important dietary implications:
- the location of their outlets;
- the foods they sell;
- the prices they charge;
- the promotional strategies they use; and
- the nutrition-related activities they implement.
These decisions influence food accessibility, availability, prices and desirability, which in turn influence the decisions consumers make about food.
Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article finds that the dietary implications are both positive – supermarkets can make a more diverse diet available and accessible to more people – and negative – supermarkets can reduce the ability of marginalised populations to purchase a high-quality diet, and encourage the consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor highly-processed foods.
Overall, the most universally applicable dietary implication is that supermarkets encourage consumers to eat more, whatever the food."
Comments on this post?
The abstract of the article is provided below.
"Five decisions by supermarket operators have important dietary implications:
- the location of their outlets;
- the foods they sell;
- the prices they charge;
- the promotional strategies they use; and
- the nutrition-related activities they implement.
These decisions influence food accessibility, availability, prices and desirability, which in turn influence the decisions consumers make about food.
Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article finds that the dietary implications are both positive – supermarkets can make a more diverse diet available and accessible to more people – and negative – supermarkets can reduce the ability of marginalised populations to purchase a high-quality diet, and encourage the consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor highly-processed foods.
Overall, the most universally applicable dietary implication is that supermarkets encourage consumers to eat more, whatever the food."
Comments on this post?
Vacancy - Scientific Officer in Nutrition
The following vacancy has recently been published by the Food Standards Agency
Scientific Officer in Nutrition (6 months fixed term contract)
Working to protect the health of the public and providing independent advice to consumers on food-related issues, the Food Standards Agency Scotland impacts on everyone in the country. You can play a vital part within our busy and fast-growing operation.
Location: Aberdeen
Closing date: 14 November 2008
Click here for more information
>Comments on this post?
Scientific Officer in Nutrition (6 months fixed term contract)
Working to protect the health of the public and providing independent advice to consumers on food-related issues, the Food Standards Agency Scotland impacts on everyone in the country. You can play a vital part within our busy and fast-growing operation.
Location: Aberdeen
Closing date: 14 November 2008
Click here for more information
>Comments on this post?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Vacancy for a Scientific Officer in the FSA
The following has recently been published by the Food Standards Agency
Scientific Officer, Food Supplements, GM Labelling and GM/Novel Foods Research
This job provides an opportunity to gain experience in both research management and policy issues in relation to GM foods/novel and food supplements.
Reference: 000508
Closing date: 14 November 2008
More information available:
http://www.food.gov.uk/aboutus/jobs/sofoodsupp
>Comments on this post?
Scientific Officer, Food Supplements, GM Labelling and GM/Novel Foods Research
This job provides an opportunity to gain experience in both research management and policy issues in relation to GM foods/novel and food supplements.
Reference: 000508
Closing date: 14 November 2008
More information available:
http://www.food.gov.uk/aboutus/jobs/sofoodsupp
>Comments on this post?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The global burden of disease: 2004 update
WHO published a new assessment of the global burden of disease.
Drawing from extensive data across the Organization, it features comparisons between deaths, diseases and injuries by region, age, sex and country income for the year 2004. It also provides projections of deaths and burden of disease by cause and region to the year 2030.
Striking findings of this update include:
- The top five causes of death in low-income countries are: pneumonia, followed by heart disease, diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS and stroke. In high-income countries, the list is topped by heart disease and followed by stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia, and asthma/bronchitis.
- Men between the ages of 15 and 60 years have much higher risks of dying than women in the same age category in every region of the world. This, is mainly due to injuries, including those caused in violence and conflict, and to higher levels of heart diseases. This difference is most pronounced in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the eastern European regions.
- Depression is the leading cause of years lost due to disability, the burden being 50% higher for females than males. In both low- and middle-income countries, and high-income countries, alcohol dependence and problem use are among the 10 leading causes of disability.
- Under-nutrition is the underlying cause of death for at least 30% of all children under age five
This study provides an important input for health decision making, planning and priority setting.
More information available: http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/2004_report_update/en/
>Comments on this post?
Drawing from extensive data across the Organization, it features comparisons between deaths, diseases and injuries by region, age, sex and country income for the year 2004. It also provides projections of deaths and burden of disease by cause and region to the year 2030.
Striking findings of this update include:
- The top five causes of death in low-income countries are: pneumonia, followed by heart disease, diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS and stroke. In high-income countries, the list is topped by heart disease and followed by stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia, and asthma/bronchitis.
- Men between the ages of 15 and 60 years have much higher risks of dying than women in the same age category in every region of the world. This, is mainly due to injuries, including those caused in violence and conflict, and to higher levels of heart diseases. This difference is most pronounced in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the eastern European regions.
- Depression is the leading cause of years lost due to disability, the burden being 50% higher for females than males. In both low- and middle-income countries, and high-income countries, alcohol dependence and problem use are among the 10 leading causes of disability.
- Under-nutrition is the underlying cause of death for at least 30% of all children under age five
This study provides an important input for health decision making, planning and priority setting.
More information available: http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/2004_report_update/en/
>Comments on this post?
Salt content of breakfast
New research carried out by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has found that many foods commonly eaten for breakfast have large amounts of hidden salt.
CASH surveyed over 200 breakfast items from June – October 2008. Information was collected through a combination of product labels, customer services and company websites where nutritional information was not available on the label.
Breakfast options included breakfast cereals and milk, toast and spreads, traditional English and cooked breakfasts, croissants and pastries, muffins and hot rolls.
The survey showed that a traditional Full English fry-up can contain as much as 6g of salt – the limit for an adult for the whole day in a single sitting.
More information available on: http://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/
>Comments on this post?
CASH surveyed over 200 breakfast items from June – October 2008. Information was collected through a combination of product labels, customer services and company websites where nutritional information was not available on the label.
Breakfast options included breakfast cereals and milk, toast and spreads, traditional English and cooked breakfasts, croissants and pastries, muffins and hot rolls.
The survey showed that a traditional Full English fry-up can contain as much as 6g of salt – the limit for an adult for the whole day in a single sitting.
More information available on: http://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/
>Comments on this post?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Poor choices: The limits of competitive markets in the provision of essential services to low income consumers
A major study of the problems faced by the poor in the market for seven essential services in the UK - energy, food, housing, water, telecoms, transport, and financial services - has been published and it's available for download:
Poor choices: The limits of competitive markets in the provision of essential services to low income consumers
The chapter on food was writen by Dr Tim Lobstein and can be found on pages 23-46.
>Comments on this post?
Poor choices: The limits of competitive markets in the provision of essential services to low income consumers
The chapter on food was writen by Dr Tim Lobstein and can be found on pages 23-46.
>Comments on this post?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Vacancy - Higher Scientific Officer, Food Signposting, Nutrition Division
The following has recently been published by the Food Standards Agency
Higher Scientific Officer, Food Signposting, Nutrition Division
FSA is looking for someone who has the necessary scientific and technical skills to help support the Agency's work on a range of nutrition labelling issues, including signpost labelling.
Reference: 000504
Salary: £26,840 - £34,289 pa
Location: Central London
Closing date: 31 October 2008
More information is available here
>Comments on this post?
Higher Scientific Officer, Food Signposting, Nutrition Division
FSA is looking for someone who has the necessary scientific and technical skills to help support the Agency's work on a range of nutrition labelling issues, including signpost labelling.
Reference: 000504
Salary: £26,840 - £34,289 pa
Location: Central London
Closing date: 31 October 2008
More information is available here
>Comments on this post?
World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy - 16 October, World Food Day
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945.
In an effort to raise awareness about the current food crisis and the various challenges brought to the food chain due for example to Global warming and the biofuel boom, this year's theme was "World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy".
More information is available here
>Comments on this post?
In an effort to raise awareness about the current food crisis and the various challenges brought to the food chain due for example to Global warming and the biofuel boom, this year's theme was "World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy".
More information is available here
>Comments on this post?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Food prices and pesticides report
England Marketing completed a new study, commissioned by the Crop Protection Association, that looks at the potential social impact of food price rises. The study relates specifically to the EU proposal to to replace the current directive on the authorisations of pesticides. Recent reports by ADAS and Cranfield University respectively have argue that the introduction of new pesticide regulations would a significantly
a. reduce crop yields and
b. raise food prices.
The report is entitled Playing Politics with our Food? Research into the Social Impacts of European Legislation-Induced Increases in Food Prices and can be downloaded here: www.englandmarketing.co.uk/reports.htm.
Note that the report does not look at all at the environmental/health rationale for changing the regulations on pesticide use nor at what current food prices would be if the environmental and health exernalities of pesticide use (and other inputs) were internalised in the cost of the food. For a different take on the EU proposals see the Pesticides Action Network website - http://www.pan-europe.info/
Thanks to the Food Climate Research Network - mailinglist.
>Comments on this post?
a. reduce crop yields and
b. raise food prices.
The report is entitled Playing Politics with our Food? Research into the Social Impacts of European Legislation-Induced Increases in Food Prices and can be downloaded here: www.englandmarketing.co.uk/reports.htm.
Note that the report does not look at all at the environmental/health rationale for changing the regulations on pesticide use nor at what current food prices would be if the environmental and health exernalities of pesticide use (and other inputs) were internalised in the cost of the food. For a different take on the EU proposals see the Pesticides Action Network website - http://www.pan-europe.info/
Thanks to the Food Climate Research Network - mailinglist.
>Comments on this post?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Call for internship applications at the WHO
The World Health Organization Headquarters, Geneva is accepting applications for internships for the Non Communicable diseases and mental health cluster(NMH).
The NMH Cluster includes the following departments: Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, (in which the activities for the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health are included), Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition for Health and Development, Tobacco Free Initiative, Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability.
The deadline to submitting applications is the 31st October.
Basic information copied from the vacancy notice is provided below, further details can be found through these links:
- Vacancy notice
- WHO internships
Title: Internship - NMH Winter 2008 2009
Grade: P level
Contract type: Internship
Duration of contract: 6 - 12 weeks
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
The WHO internship programme has three objectives: (a) to provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes, where educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments; (b) to expose students to the work of WHO and (c) to provide WHO programmes with the assistance of students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.
Description of duties:
Under the supervision of a professional in the department concerned, interns typically contribute to some or all of the following responsibilities:
- review literature
- undertake research in a particular subject area
- collate information on topics related to the subject area
- organize data and documents
- develop tools and guidelines
- draft reports
- participate in on-going departmental projects
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Minimum of three years university studies, ideally a first degree, in medical or social science or a field related to the technical work of WHO. The intern must be a student during the internship. Additionally there are limited possibilities for students from disciplines such as Information Technology, Media Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration and/or Public Administration.
Skills:
All interns should possess the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:
- Communicating effectively orally and in writing
- Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
- Producing and delivering quality results
- Working collaboratively with team members
- Respecting and promoting difference
In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes may be an advantage.
Experience:
Experience in research and in drafting reports would be preferred. Experience in the subject area through academic work or research would be an advantage.
Field and/or developing country experience would be an advantage.
More specific experience such as statistics or specialized computer programmes may be needed for some internships.
Languages:
Interns should have a good working knowledge or English and/or French and should possess some knowledge of the other.
Knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) would be an advantage.
Additional Information:
Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Interns must be minimum 20 years of age and be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification (graduate or post-graduate) to be eligible for the program. All internships at WHO are unpaid and full-time.
WHO accepts no responsibility for medical insurance of interns or costs arising from illness incurred during an internship.
Interns are NOT eligible for appointment to any position in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship.
Comments on this post?
The NMH Cluster includes the following departments: Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, (in which the activities for the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health are included), Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition for Health and Development, Tobacco Free Initiative, Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability.
The deadline to submitting applications is the 31st October.
Basic information copied from the vacancy notice is provided below, further details can be found through these links:
- Vacancy notice
- WHO internships
Title: Internship - NMH Winter 2008 2009
Grade: P level
Contract type: Internship
Duration of contract: 6 - 12 weeks
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
The WHO internship programme has three objectives: (a) to provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes, where educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments; (b) to expose students to the work of WHO and (c) to provide WHO programmes with the assistance of students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.
Description of duties:
Under the supervision of a professional in the department concerned, interns typically contribute to some or all of the following responsibilities:
- review literature
- undertake research in a particular subject area
- collate information on topics related to the subject area
- organize data and documents
- develop tools and guidelines
- draft reports
- participate in on-going departmental projects
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Minimum of three years university studies, ideally a first degree, in medical or social science or a field related to the technical work of WHO. The intern must be a student during the internship. Additionally there are limited possibilities for students from disciplines such as Information Technology, Media Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration and/or Public Administration.
Skills:
All interns should possess the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:
- Communicating effectively orally and in writing
- Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
- Producing and delivering quality results
- Working collaboratively with team members
- Respecting and promoting difference
In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes may be an advantage.
Experience:
Experience in research and in drafting reports would be preferred. Experience in the subject area through academic work or research would be an advantage.
Field and/or developing country experience would be an advantage.
More specific experience such as statistics or specialized computer programmes may be needed for some internships.
Languages:
Interns should have a good working knowledge or English and/or French and should possess some knowledge of the other.
Knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) would be an advantage.
Additional Information:
Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Interns must be minimum 20 years of age and be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification (graduate or post-graduate) to be eligible for the program. All internships at WHO are unpaid and full-time.
WHO accepts no responsibility for medical insurance of interns or costs arising from illness incurred during an internship.
Interns are NOT eligible for appointment to any position in WHO for a period of three months following the end of the internship.
Comments on this post?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Global Food Crises
Monitoring and assessing impact to inform policy responses.
by Todd Benson, Nicholas Minot, John Pender, Miguel Robles, Joachim von Braun
Describes the data and methods that national and international decisionmakers need to understand the effects of a global food crisis on a country and to alleviate risks and exploit opportunities. Outlines the design and implementation of an open Internet-based portal for sharing reliable, appropriate information and decision-support tools for national policymakers so they can respond quickly to changes in world food markets in an informed manner.
http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/fpr/pr19.asp
>Comments on this post?
by Todd Benson, Nicholas Minot, John Pender, Miguel Robles, Joachim von Braun
Describes the data and methods that national and international decisionmakers need to understand the effects of a global food crisis on a country and to alleviate risks and exploit opportunities. Outlines the design and implementation of an open Internet-based portal for sharing reliable, appropriate information and decision-support tools for national policymakers so they can respond quickly to changes in world food markets in an informed manner.
http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/fpr/pr19.asp
>Comments on this post?
Nutrition Information and Consumer Knowledge
The European Food Information Council is holding a (free) webinar on 24 September from 10-12.30 Greenwich Meantime (11- 1.30 on British SummerTime) on consumer knowledge of nutrition information and how they use it:
For those interested in the carbon labelling isue it might be worth listenining in to see if there are any insights that might be relevant . You can find out more and register to attend at: http://www.focusbiz.co.uk/live/eufic/register/
>Comments on this post?
For those interested in the carbon labelling isue it might be worth listenining in to see if there are any insights that might be relevant . You can find out more and register to attend at: http://www.focusbiz.co.uk/live/eufic/register/
>Comments on this post?
Stores and weight loss
A study found that the presence of big retail stores such as Wal-Mart may promote weight loss among local residents.
"Big boxes and smaller waistlines? Wal-Mart, warehouse clubs, and obesity"
Social Science Research Network 2008; published 4 Sep 2008
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1263316
>Comments on this post?
"Big boxes and smaller waistlines? Wal-Mart, warehouse clubs, and obesity"
Social Science Research Network 2008; published 4 Sep 2008
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1263316
>Comments on this post?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Healthy Vending Machines?
In the Netherlands, a group of researchers changed the content of vending machines at school. They changed the calory-dense products for less calory-dense products. The research team found that school-aged children started consuming more healthy products. The introduction of labels did not have a significant effect. If you understand Dutch, you can read it in detail here: http://www.automatischgezonder.nl
Comments on this post?
Comments on this post?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
European Nutrition Leadership Programme
The European Nutrition Leadership Programme (ENLP) is a programme which aims to assist the development of future leaders in the field of human nutrition in Europe. During a 1-week course, held annually since 1994, emphasis is placed on understanding the qualities and skills of leadership, team building, communication and the role of nutrition and science in society. This is achieved through a varied and highly interactive programme, which includes role-playing, presentations, discussion groups and talks by leading European nutritionists.
Leadership, team-building and communication are the cornerstones of the ENLP course and training young nutritionists in these fields has generated an active network, which can help to create European approaches in nutrition and health and food safety.
The 30 participants at the programme are selected each year from final year PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, the food industry or government (age 35 or younger) and are all interested and active in food, nutrition and health at large, mainly from Europe. The selection process is undertaken by an international committee based on the individual's application to the ENLP.
If you want to apply visit ENLP How to apply: http://www.enlp.eu.com/en/basic324.html
You should apply before the end of November.
>Comments on this post?
Leadership, team-building and communication are the cornerstones of the ENLP course and training young nutritionists in these fields has generated an active network, which can help to create European approaches in nutrition and health and food safety.
The 30 participants at the programme are selected each year from final year PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, the food industry or government (age 35 or younger) and are all interested and active in food, nutrition and health at large, mainly from Europe. The selection process is undertaken by an international committee based on the individual's application to the ENLP.
If you want to apply visit ENLP How to apply: http://www.enlp.eu.com/en/basic324.html
You should apply before the end of November.
>Comments on this post?
Vacancy in the Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency is looking for a senior nutrition officer to work in central London.
More information available here
>Comments on this post?
More information available here
>Comments on this post?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
New Calls EU 7FP
The new calls of the EU 7 FP Food (call: FP7-KBBE-2009-3). are published. You can find more information on the following website:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7DetailsCallPage&call_id=143
Comment on this post?
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7DetailsCallPage&call_id=143
Comment on this post?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Commission invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Commission invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme
On 8 July 2008, the European Commission presented its proposal for the introduction of an EU-wide School Fruit Scheme (SFS). In order to kick-start the linked networking activities, the Commission is now organising a major conference, bringing together experts from all Member states. This event will take place in Brussels in December 2008. As part of this conference there will be a poster exhibition of best practice models to provide SFS project promoters and stakeholders with examples for establishing or improving a School Fruit Scheme. Interested parties are now invited to submit models as posters for this exhibition. These posters must be designed to deliver 'operational' information in an easily understandable way. The posters will be exhibited during the conference and published on the Europa website.
Full details on how to submit best practice models can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/events/conference/index_en.htm
Comment on this post?
Commission invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme
On 8 July 2008, the European Commission presented its proposal for the introduction of an EU-wide School Fruit Scheme (SFS). In order to kick-start the linked networking activities, the Commission is now organising a major conference, bringing together experts from all Member states. This event will take place in Brussels in December 2008. As part of this conference there will be a poster exhibition of best practice models to provide SFS project promoters and stakeholders with examples for establishing or improving a School Fruit Scheme. Interested parties are now invited to submit models as posters for this exhibition. These posters must be designed to deliver 'operational' information in an easily understandable way. The posters will be exhibited during the conference and published on the Europa website.
Full details on how to submit best practice models can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/events/conference/index_en.htm
Comment on this post?
Friday, August 22, 2008
Public consultation on a draft Opinion related to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a draft of the document on opinion related to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and is calling for comments from all interested parties.
More information avaiable on EFSA's website .
Comment on this post?
More information avaiable on EFSA's website .
Comment on this post?
IFPRI
IFPRI published its 8-point Action Plan for Food Price Crises in a slideshow.
See: IFPRI action points
See: IFPRI action points
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Vacancies
IAEA is searching for a Nutrition Specialist to join their team at the Nutritional and Health Related Environmental Studies Section at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. http://recruitment.iaea.org/vacancies/p/2008/2008_031.html
Vacancies: Helen Keller International has various positions open. The job announcements can be found on the HKI website at: http://www.hki.org/about/careers.html.
Specialist Public Health Dietitian/Nutritionist
Notttingham PCT, Nottingham
Closing date: 16 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/ecialist_Public_Health_DietitianNutritionist.pdf
Stay Well Programme Co-ordinator
East Potential, Newham, London
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialSWPC.pdf
Community Food and Nutrition Worker
East Potential, Newham, London
Closing date: 3 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialCFNW.pdf
Comment on this post?
Vacancies: Helen Keller International has various positions open. The job announcements can be found on the HKI website at: http://www.hki.org/about/careers.html.
Specialist Public Health Dietitian/Nutritionist
Notttingham PCT, Nottingham
Closing date: 16 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/ecialist_Public_Health_DietitianNutritionist.pdf
Stay Well Programme Co-ordinator
East Potential, Newham, London
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialSWPC.pdf
Community Food and Nutrition Worker
East Potential, Newham, London
Closing date: 3 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialCFNW.pdf
Comment on this post?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Nutrient Profiles - EFSA
The European Commission has requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide relevant scientific advice for the setting of nutrient profiles.
More info on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178689506673.htm
More info on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178689506673.htm
WHO-report: cardiovascular mortality vs CAP
WHO-published research study: Estimating the cardiovascular mortality burden attributable to the European Common Agricultural Policy on dietary saturated fats
A new study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation seeks to quantify the impact of CAP subsidies for dairy and meat commodities on cardiovascular mortality. They estimate that these subsidies led to approximately 9800 additional CHD deaths and 3000 additional stroke deaths within the EU, half of them premature. The study notes that these results were robust in the sensitivity analysis and were very conservative estimates, assuming a 1% reduction in saturated fat energy intake, rather than the 5% and 7% observed in Finland and Poland. For more information see http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/7/08-053728/en/index.html .
Another article could respond by arguing that the CAP has contributed to the avoidance of x numbers of victims of anaemia/calcium deficiency/Vit B12 deficiency…
Comment on this post?
Monday, August 18, 2008
EFSA
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has today launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion on Food-Based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The Panel’s draft opinion provides scientific advice to the European Commission and Member States on how to approach the translation of general nutrient-based recommendations into specific food consumption recommendations, while taking into account the diversity of the European Union population and different countries.
More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049848.htm
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has today launched a public consultation on its draft general principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values. EFSA is consulting on its draft opinion in order to ensure that the Panel takes into account all available data and benefits from the experience of public health bodies in the European Union (EU) and worldwide in setting Dietary Reference Values for the different nutrients.
More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049838.htm
More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049848.htm
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has today launched a public consultation on its draft general principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values. EFSA is consulting on its draft opinion in order to ensure that the Panel takes into account all available data and benefits from the experience of public health bodies in the European Union (EU) and worldwide in setting Dietary Reference Values for the different nutrients.
More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049838.htm
Thursday, August 14, 2008
protecting children from commercial promotion of foods and beverages
An update on the Sydney Principles for protecting children from commercial promotion of foods and beverages as just been published in the international journal 'Public Health Nutrition' (Public Health Nutrition: 11(9), 881–886).
More information on the topic is available through the link:
www.iotf.org/sydneyprinciples
More information on the topic is available through the link:
www.iotf.org/sydneyprinciples
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
PhD Studentship in the subject of Medical Science with an orientation towards Public Health
Description of the PhD project
It is widely recognised that the world’s population is in a continuous state of demographic, epidemiological and health transition, not least as a result of increasing globalisation. It is also true that different areas of the world and particular countries encounter these transitions in various ways and at different times. Although some generic principles underlying these processes were set out in the 1970s, there remains a lack of evidence-based analyses from settings which have already experienced major transitions as a basis for informing understanding and policy in contemporary transitions. The aim of this PhD project is to make use of well-established population-based data (for example, but not exclusively, from Swedish historical population registers) in analyses designed to inform policy in today’s transitional populations.
Qualifications
Prior qualifications are likely to include graduate and post-graduate attainment in discipline(s) relevant to the practice of global public health, including well-developed skills in quantitative analysis. Applicants are expected to be interested in global health issues and be willing to work as part of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams within the Centre for Global Health Research and the Centre for Population Studies. This may involve some collaboration in low and middle-income countries. The post will be based in Umeå, Sweden, but may involve some international travel. A good working knowledge of English is essential.
Salary/type of positionThis appointment will initially be offered on a one-year basis as of 1 October 2008, during which time the holder will be expected to develop and register a full PhD plan. Subject to satisfactory progress, subsequent renewals of up to two years each will be granted, up to a total maximum of 5 years, by which time it is anticipated a PhD thesis will be defended. A modest amount of teaching and student supervision may be expected to be part of this post.
Further information
The application should include a Curriculum Vitae, a short description of experience indicating your suitability for the position and your reasons for interest, copies of degree certificates, relevant publications, and contact details for at least two academic references. For further information, please contact Professor Peter Byass, peter.byass@epiph.umu.se, phone +46 73808 3671 or +44 77110 77808.
Additional info through the link: http://www.globalhealthresearch.net/opportunities.htm
It is widely recognised that the world’s population is in a continuous state of demographic, epidemiological and health transition, not least as a result of increasing globalisation. It is also true that different areas of the world and particular countries encounter these transitions in various ways and at different times. Although some generic principles underlying these processes were set out in the 1970s, there remains a lack of evidence-based analyses from settings which have already experienced major transitions as a basis for informing understanding and policy in contemporary transitions. The aim of this PhD project is to make use of well-established population-based data (for example, but not exclusively, from Swedish historical population registers) in analyses designed to inform policy in today’s transitional populations.
Qualifications
Prior qualifications are likely to include graduate and post-graduate attainment in discipline(s) relevant to the practice of global public health, including well-developed skills in quantitative analysis. Applicants are expected to be interested in global health issues and be willing to work as part of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams within the Centre for Global Health Research and the Centre for Population Studies. This may involve some collaboration in low and middle-income countries. The post will be based in Umeå, Sweden, but may involve some international travel. A good working knowledge of English is essential.
Salary/type of positionThis appointment will initially be offered on a one-year basis as of 1 October 2008, during which time the holder will be expected to develop and register a full PhD plan. Subject to satisfactory progress, subsequent renewals of up to two years each will be granted, up to a total maximum of 5 years, by which time it is anticipated a PhD thesis will be defended. A modest amount of teaching and student supervision may be expected to be part of this post.
Further information
The application should include a Curriculum Vitae, a short description of experience indicating your suitability for the position and your reasons for interest, copies of degree certificates, relevant publications, and contact details for at least two academic references. For further information, please contact Professor Peter Byass, peter.byass@epiph.umu.se, phone +46 73808 3671 or +44 77110 77808.
Additional info through the link: http://www.globalhealthresearch.net/opportunities.htm
Thursday, August 7, 2008
France considers higher tax on unhealthy food
from: CBC News
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 4:26 PM ET
The French government is considering raising taxes on unhealthy foods to as much as 19.6 per cent, an official confirmed Wednesday.
No decision has been made, but an expert report advocating an increase in the current 5.5 per cent tax on sweet, salty and fatty foods was leaked to Les Echos newspaper on Tuesday.
An official confirmed the report was being discussed on Wednesday, and said it would be presented to legislators in September.
The extent of the tax and whether it will be implemented is not clear.
For example, it might be easier to impose if it applied to processed foods, but excluded French delights like brie cheese, éclairs and pâtés.
French senators suggested new nutritional taxes last year, but instead asked for the expert report from the government's social affairs and budget agencies.
Budget Minister Eric Woerth rejected the idea Wednesday, on financial grounds. He said it was "out of the question to raise sales taxes on food products," given the higher prices that have cut the population's purchasing power.
Links to other news about this topic:
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/18300/Food/France/new-french-report-calls-junk-food-tax.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601090&sid=abfOXUjwoHMo&refer=france
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 4:26 PM ET
The French government is considering raising taxes on unhealthy foods to as much as 19.6 per cent, an official confirmed Wednesday.
No decision has been made, but an expert report advocating an increase in the current 5.5 per cent tax on sweet, salty and fatty foods was leaked to Les Echos newspaper on Tuesday.
An official confirmed the report was being discussed on Wednesday, and said it would be presented to legislators in September.
The extent of the tax and whether it will be implemented is not clear.
For example, it might be easier to impose if it applied to processed foods, but excluded French delights like brie cheese, éclairs and pâtés.
French senators suggested new nutritional taxes last year, but instead asked for the expert report from the government's social affairs and budget agencies.
Budget Minister Eric Woerth rejected the idea Wednesday, on financial grounds. He said it was "out of the question to raise sales taxes on food products," given the higher prices that have cut the population's purchasing power.
Links to other news about this topic:
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/18300/Food/France/new-french-report-calls-junk-food-tax.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601090&sid=abfOXUjwoHMo&refer=france
Letters addressing childhood obesity
Parents of schoolchildren will receive letters from the Department of Health in September 2008 informing them of their children's weight status. Primary care trusts have received a detailed instructions and a sample letter, explaining how to convey to parents the results of the National Child Measurement Programme. The report called for the words "fat" and "obese" not to be used, which might alienate parents. Instead, obese children will be referred to as being "very overweight."
More info available on UK Department of Health: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Healthyliving/DH_073787
Information received via: [ProCOR] Global CVD Prevention News Update: 6 August 2008
More info available on UK Department of Health: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Healthyliving/DH_073787
Information received via: [ProCOR] Global CVD Prevention News Update: 6 August 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Eat less to tackle climate change
Pimentel D, Williamson S, Alexander C E, Gonzelez-Pagan O, Kontak C and Mulkey SE (2008).
Reducing energy inputs in the US food system. Human Ecology, August 2008
An estimated 19% of total energy used in the USA is taken up in the production and supply of food. Currently, this mostly comes from non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply. A paper just published in Human Ecology, sets out a number of strategies which could potentially cut fossil energy fuel use in the food system by as much as 50 percent.
The first suggestion they put forward is that individuals eat less – apparently the the average American consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, 1200-1500 calories over recommendations. They also recommend converting to diets lower in meat. With respect to food production, the authors recommend moving towards more traditional, organic livestock farming methods; similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.
Finally, changes to methods of food processing, packaging and distribution could also help to reduce fuel consumption. Although well-established energy-saving considerations in lighting, heating and packaging materials all have their part to play, the authors again highlight individual responsibility as having the biggest impact. They contend that the most dramatic reduction in energy used for food processing would come about if consumers reduced their demand for highly processed foods. This they say would also help cut down food miles and its related fuel cost as US food travels an average of 2,400 km before it is consumed. This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest position to contribute to a reduction in energy use.
Reducing energy inputs in the US food system. Human Ecology, August 2008
An estimated 19% of total energy used in the USA is taken up in the production and supply of food. Currently, this mostly comes from non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply. A paper just published in Human Ecology, sets out a number of strategies which could potentially cut fossil energy fuel use in the food system by as much as 50 percent.
The first suggestion they put forward is that individuals eat less – apparently the the average American consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, 1200-1500 calories over recommendations. They also recommend converting to diets lower in meat. With respect to food production, the authors recommend moving towards more traditional, organic livestock farming methods; similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.
Finally, changes to methods of food processing, packaging and distribution could also help to reduce fuel consumption. Although well-established energy-saving considerations in lighting, heating and packaging materials all have their part to play, the authors again highlight individual responsibility as having the biggest impact. They contend that the most dramatic reduction in energy used for food processing would come about if consumers reduced their demand for highly processed foods. This they say would also help cut down food miles and its related fuel cost as US food travels an average of 2,400 km before it is consumed. This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest position to contribute to a reduction in energy use.
EU Commission Proposal on School Fruit Scheme
The European Commission have proposed to establish a European Union-wide scheme to provide free fruit and vegetables to school children. European funds worth €90 million every year would pay for the purchase and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables to schools, and this money would be matched by national funds in those Member States which chose to make use of the programme. This is the latest stage in the Commission's efforts to improve health and nutrition, as set out in the 'Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity and related health issues'. The School Fruit Scheme aims to encourage good eating habits in young people, which studies show tend to be carried on into later life. Besides providing free fruit and vegetables, the scheme would require participating Member States to set up national strategies including educational and awareness-raising initiatives and the sharing of best practice. An estimated 22 million children in the EU are overweight. More than 5 million these are obese and this figure is expected to rise by 400,000 every year. Improved nutrition can play an important part in combating this problem. The proposal will now be sent to the Council and European Parliament.
Read more here:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm
Read more here:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Interesting news # 1
Article from the WASHINGTON POST
"Children Targets of $1.6 Billion in Food Ads"
FTC Discloses 2006 Spending in First-Ever Report
By Kendra Marr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 30, 2008; D01
One in three children in this country are overweight. But, until now, it was unclear how much the nation's largest food and beverage companies spent influencing kids to eat unhealthy foods.
The companies spent about $1.6 billion marketing their products -- mainly soda, fast food and cereal -- to children in 2006, according to a Federal Trade Commission report on food marketing to children released yesterday.
The biggest category, $492 million, was carbonated-beverage advertising. In contrast, the Milk Processor Education Program -- which sponsors the celebrity-studded "Got Milk?" ads -- spent about $67 million on advertising in 2006.
For years, nutrition advocacy groups and researchers have attempted to estimate the amount of youth-targeted advertising, usually pegging it at $10 billion to $15 billion a year.
"We were a little surprised about the dollar value," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Previous estimates included non-food products as well as coupons and discounts at restaurants that targeted adults, perhaps accounting for some of the disparity, according to the commission.
This was the first report with hard facts. Last year, the FTC issued subpoenas to 44 companies, including Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, General Mills and Procter & Gamble, as well as chains such as McDonald's and Burger King. The commission sought confidential financial data on advertising and promotions targeting children ages 2 to 17. The report, however, did not identify how much companies spent individually, and it did not separate junk food from healthier options.
"More and more we see advertising for kids to get them hooked on high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt diets," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who commissioned the study in 2005. "Something had to be done. We weren't getting honest information from companies."
Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said other estimates included items, such as promotion events and travel, that the FTC didn't, knocking $5 billion off previous calculations.
"So much of the data is proprietary that all marketing professors could do is estimate," Wootan said. "We always knew those numbers floating around weren't ideal, but they were what we had."
Still, government healthy-eating initiatives are dwarfed by the $1.6 billion. The Centers for Disease Control's budget for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity is about $41 million for Americans of all ages. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Team Nutrition, whose goal is to improve children's eating and physical-activity habits, has an annual budget of about $10 million.
Lawmakers' concerns about the rise of childhood obesity -- the percentage of children who are obese has tripled since 1980 -- prompted the commission to conduct the study, but the link between marketing and obesity was not specifically addressed.
"The obesity problem is a complex problem," Parnes said. "It's certainly not only about advertising. It's about fewer physical education programs. It's about the fact that our children watch more TV and play more video games and are more sedentary."
The study measured traditional media outlets, as well as the Web, sponsorship, promotions in schools and packaging. The $1.6 billion, directed toward children ages 2 to 17, represented 17 percent of the total annual marketing budgets for the reporting companies' brands.
Fast-food restaurants spent nearly $294 million on promotions, evenly targeting young children and teens. Cereal advertising totaled $237 million, with a vast majority aimed at children under 12.
Television continues to dominate as the most popular way to reach consumers, as companies spent 46 percent of marketing budgets on this medium.
New media -- including the Internet, digital and viral marketing -- have become an important part of promotional activities but account for only 5 percent of marketing. Web sites, less costly than television, appeal to teens and can feature free ring tones, music and add-ons for MySpace pages. Cross-promotion campaigns, which make up 13 percent of youth marketing, were designed so that young consumers would be reminded of products nearly everywhere they turned.
For instance, in 2006, "Superman Returns" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" were used to promote a number of items such as fast-food meals, frozen waffles, fruit snacks and chips. Ads appeared on television, the Web, packaging, in-store displays and in movie theaters. Limited-edition foods were created in their honor. Young consumers could go online to play movie-themed games and enter sweepstakes. And companies gave out free toys, posters and other trinkets with proof of purchase.
A number of programs aimed at curbing obesity have already swept the business community since the commission collected data for its report -- a study intended as a benchmark to measure those efforts in the future.
Launched last July, the Council of Better Business Bureaus' Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative has enlisted 14 large companies, who have pledged to reduce child-directed advertising or to feature "better-for-you" products in youth advertising.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which aims to fight childhood obesity, is working with major beverage companies and the American Beverage Association to reduce portion sizes, cut calories and remove sugary sodas from schools nationwide by the 2009-10 school year. Snack food companies have also announced nutrition guidelines with the alliance.
Some media and entertainment companies have promised to limit the licensing of popular characters and to promote only healthy foods.
"As a nutrition professional, I talk to companies and hear what they pledge to do," said Wootan. "As a mom, I don't see a big difference in the marketplace yet. When I watch Nickelodeon with my daughter or walk down the aisle of a grocery store, it seems overwhelmingly foods marketed to kids are unhealthy."
"Children Targets of $1.6 Billion in Food Ads"
FTC Discloses 2006 Spending in First-Ever Report
By Kendra Marr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 30, 2008; D01
One in three children in this country are overweight. But, until now, it was unclear how much the nation's largest food and beverage companies spent influencing kids to eat unhealthy foods.
The companies spent about $1.6 billion marketing their products -- mainly soda, fast food and cereal -- to children in 2006, according to a Federal Trade Commission report on food marketing to children released yesterday.
The biggest category, $492 million, was carbonated-beverage advertising. In contrast, the Milk Processor Education Program -- which sponsors the celebrity-studded "Got Milk?" ads -- spent about $67 million on advertising in 2006.
For years, nutrition advocacy groups and researchers have attempted to estimate the amount of youth-targeted advertising, usually pegging it at $10 billion to $15 billion a year.
"We were a little surprised about the dollar value," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Previous estimates included non-food products as well as coupons and discounts at restaurants that targeted adults, perhaps accounting for some of the disparity, according to the commission.
This was the first report with hard facts. Last year, the FTC issued subpoenas to 44 companies, including Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, General Mills and Procter & Gamble, as well as chains such as McDonald's and Burger King. The commission sought confidential financial data on advertising and promotions targeting children ages 2 to 17. The report, however, did not identify how much companies spent individually, and it did not separate junk food from healthier options.
"More and more we see advertising for kids to get them hooked on high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt diets," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who commissioned the study in 2005. "Something had to be done. We weren't getting honest information from companies."
Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said other estimates included items, such as promotion events and travel, that the FTC didn't, knocking $5 billion off previous calculations.
"So much of the data is proprietary that all marketing professors could do is estimate," Wootan said. "We always knew those numbers floating around weren't ideal, but they were what we had."
Still, government healthy-eating initiatives are dwarfed by the $1.6 billion. The Centers for Disease Control's budget for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity is about $41 million for Americans of all ages. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Team Nutrition, whose goal is to improve children's eating and physical-activity habits, has an annual budget of about $10 million.
Lawmakers' concerns about the rise of childhood obesity -- the percentage of children who are obese has tripled since 1980 -- prompted the commission to conduct the study, but the link between marketing and obesity was not specifically addressed.
"The obesity problem is a complex problem," Parnes said. "It's certainly not only about advertising. It's about fewer physical education programs. It's about the fact that our children watch more TV and play more video games and are more sedentary."
The study measured traditional media outlets, as well as the Web, sponsorship, promotions in schools and packaging. The $1.6 billion, directed toward children ages 2 to 17, represented 17 percent of the total annual marketing budgets for the reporting companies' brands.
Fast-food restaurants spent nearly $294 million on promotions, evenly targeting young children and teens. Cereal advertising totaled $237 million, with a vast majority aimed at children under 12.
Television continues to dominate as the most popular way to reach consumers, as companies spent 46 percent of marketing budgets on this medium.
New media -- including the Internet, digital and viral marketing -- have become an important part of promotional activities but account for only 5 percent of marketing. Web sites, less costly than television, appeal to teens and can feature free ring tones, music and add-ons for MySpace pages. Cross-promotion campaigns, which make up 13 percent of youth marketing, were designed so that young consumers would be reminded of products nearly everywhere they turned.
For instance, in 2006, "Superman Returns" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" were used to promote a number of items such as fast-food meals, frozen waffles, fruit snacks and chips. Ads appeared on television, the Web, packaging, in-store displays and in movie theaters. Limited-edition foods were created in their honor. Young consumers could go online to play movie-themed games and enter sweepstakes. And companies gave out free toys, posters and other trinkets with proof of purchase.
A number of programs aimed at curbing obesity have already swept the business community since the commission collected data for its report -- a study intended as a benchmark to measure those efforts in the future.
Launched last July, the Council of Better Business Bureaus' Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative has enlisted 14 large companies, who have pledged to reduce child-directed advertising or to feature "better-for-you" products in youth advertising.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which aims to fight childhood obesity, is working with major beverage companies and the American Beverage Association to reduce portion sizes, cut calories and remove sugary sodas from schools nationwide by the 2009-10 school year. Snack food companies have also announced nutrition guidelines with the alliance.
Some media and entertainment companies have promised to limit the licensing of popular characters and to promote only healthy foods.
"As a nutrition professional, I talk to companies and hear what they pledge to do," said Wootan. "As a mom, I don't see a big difference in the marketplace yet. When I watch Nickelodeon with my daughter or walk down the aisle of a grocery store, it seems overwhelmingly foods marketed to kids are unhealthy."
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