UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: Diet and Immune Function

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 1684-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sanderson ◽  
Rachel L. Elsom ◽  
Verity Kirkpatrick ◽  
Philip C. Calder ◽  
Jayne V. Woodside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Pneumococcal Vaccination ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Immune Parameters ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Health Relevance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Potential Public Health

The UK Food Standards Agency convened a workshop on 13 May 2009 to discuss recently completed research on diet and immune function. The objective of the workshop was to review this research and to establish priorities for future research. Several of the trials presented at the workshop showed some effect of nutritional interventions (e.g. vitamin D, Zn, Se) on immune parameters. One trial found that increased fruit and vegetable intake may improve the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination in older people. The workshop highlighted the need to further clarify the potential public health relevance of observed nutrition-related changes in immune function, e.g. susceptibility to infections and infectious morbidity.

scholarly journals Predictors of vegetable consumption in children and adolescents: analyses of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008–2017)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Liam R. Chawner ◽  
Pam Blundell-Birtill ◽  
Marion M. Hetherington
Keyword(s):  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Children’s vegetable consumption is generally below national recommendations in the UK. This study examined predictors of vegetable intake by children aged 1·5–18 years using counts and portion sizes derived from 4-d UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey food diaries. Data from 6548 children were examined using linear and logit multilevel models. Specifically, we examined whether demographic variables predicted vegetable consumption, whether environmental context influenced portion sizes of vegetables consumed and which food groups predicted the presence (or absence) of vegetables at an eating occasion (EO). Larger average daily intake of vegetables (g) was predicted by age, ethnicity, equivalised income, variety of vegetables eaten and average energy intake per d (R2 0·549). At a single EO, vegetables were consumed in larger portion sizes at home, with family members and at evening mealtimes (Conditional R2 0·308). Within EO, certain configurations of food groups such as carbohydrates and protein predicted higher odds of vegetables being present (OR 12·85, 95 % CI 9·42, 17·54), whereas foods high in fats, sugars and salt predicted a lower likelihood of vegetable presence (OR 0·03, 95 % CI 0·02, 0·04). Vegetables were rarely eaten alone without other food groups. These findings demonstrate that only one portion of vegetables was eaten per d (median) and this was consumed at a single EO, therefore falling below recommendations. Future research should investigate ways to encourage vegetable intake at times when vegetables are not regularly eaten, such as for breakfast and as snacks, whilst considering which other, potentially competing, foods are presented alongside vegetables.

Folate bioavailability: UK Food Standards Agency workshop report

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sanderson ◽  
Helene McNulty ◽  
Pierpaolo Mastroiacovo ◽  
Ian F. W. McDowell ◽  
Alida Melse-Boonstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Relative Bioavailability ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Workshop Report ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Folate Bioavailability ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Review Current

The UK Food Standards Agency convened a group of expert scientists to review current research investigating folate bioavailability. The workshop aimed to overview current research and establish priorities for future research. Discrepancies were observed in the evidence base for folate bioavailability, especially with regard to the relative bioavailability of natural folates compared with folic acid. A substantial body of evidence shows folic acid to have superior bioavailability relative to food folates; however, the exact relative bioavailability still needs to be determined, and in particular with regard to mixed diets. The bioavailability of folate in a mixed diet is probably not a weighted average of that in the various foods consumed; thus the workshop considered that assessment of folate bioavailability of whole diets should be a high priority for future research.

Emerging diet-related surrogate end points for colorectal cancer: UK Food Standards Agency diet and colonic health workshop report

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sanderson ◽  
Ian T. Johnson ◽  
John C. Mathers ◽  
Hilary J. Powers ◽  
C. Stephen Downes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Future Research ◽  
End Points ◽  
Workshop Report ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Colonic Health ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Review Current

The UK Food Standards Agency convened a group of expert scientists to review current research investigating emerging diet-related surrogate end points for colorectal cancer (CRC). The workshop aimed to overview current research and establish priorities for future research. The workshop considered that the validation of current putative diet-related surrogate end points for CRC and the development of novel ones, particularly in the emerging fields of proteomics, genomics and epigenomics, should be a high priority for future research.

scholarly journals Review of the FSA’s research programme on food hypersensitivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Turner ◽  
John O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Food Hypersensitivity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
Food Recalls ◽  
The Uk

The overarching mission of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is tothe ensure that food is safe, food is what it says it is and that consumers can make informed choices about what to eat. These are of central importance to consumers with food hypersensitivity(FHS).Food hypersensitivity (FHS) encompasses both immune-mediated food hypersensitivity (food allergy and coeliac disease) and non-immune food intolerances. FHS is a complex, multifactorial disease of concern to multiple stakeholders including consumers with FHS, their families, clinicians, regulatory agencies and policy makers, scientists, food manufacturers and food business operators. It affects around 5-8% of children and 2-3% of adults in the UK, and although rare, can be fatal. Public concern over FHS has grown in recent years. In the UK and elsewhere, food recalls due to the presence of undeclared allergens feature predominantly in food alerts; legislation over food labelling has become clearer, and consumers and producers are more aware of FHS. The FSA has been a major funder of research into FHS for over 2 decades, and the outputs of the research programme has had significant impacts at a national and global scale, most notably in the area of the prevention of FHS in children and the presence of declared and undeclared allergens in food products. Strengthening protections for consumers with FHS is a top priority for the FSA. The FSA has established a Food Hypersensitivity Programme Board to oversee and coordinate its work in this area. The working group was tasked with reviewing the research into FHS supported by the Food Standards Agency to date, and prioritising those priority areas where the current scientific evidence is limited and therefore should be a focus for future research investment. The aim –to make the UK the best country in the world for consumers with food hypersensitivity.

scholarly journals Folate and colo-rectal cancer risk

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 1299-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sanderson ◽  
Elaine Stone ◽  
Young-In Kim ◽  
John C. Mathers ◽  
Ellen Kampman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Review Current

The UK Food Standards Agency convened a group of expert scientists to review current research investigating folate and colo-rectal cancer risk. The workshop aimed to examine current research and establish research priorities. The timing of folate exposure with respect to carcinogenesis, as well as the dose and form of folate, were considered key issues for future research. Also, the need to study further the influence of genetically defined subgroups was highlighted for future research.

Using the Change4Life Disney Branded 10-minute Shake Ups During the COVID-19 ‘Lockdown’

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Budzynski-Seymour ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Michelle Jones
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Affective Responses ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Bidirectional Relationship ◽  
The Uk

Physical activity (PA) is considered essential to overall health yet it is consistently reported that children are failing to meet the recommended levels. Due to the bidirectional relationship between affective states and PA, affective responses are a potential predictor to long term engagement. Since late March 2020 the UK government enforced ‘lockdown’ measures to help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19); however, this has impacted children’s PA. Using online resources at home to support PA is now common. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the use of the Change4Life 10-minute Shake Ups to support PA by examining the effects of Disney branding upon children’s (n=32) post activity affective responses and perceived exertion. The secondary was to investigate the effect of the lockdown on PA habits. Children had similar positive affective responses and perceived effort to activities; however, branding was considered to be a key contributing factor based upon qualitative feedback from parents. Children’s PA levels dropped slightly since ‘lockdown’ was imposed; though online resources have been utilised to support PA. The use of immersive elements such as characters and narrative in PA sessions, as well as utilising online resources during ‘lockdown’ appear potentially promising for future research.

scholarly journals Identity in transition: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of international humanitarian workers’ experiences of returning home

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Marie Wersig ◽  
Kevin Wilson-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Moral Values ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Aid Workers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Returning Home ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Humanitarian Work

AbstractThis interpretative phenomenological analysis explores aid workers’ understanding of identity and belonging through the transition from working in humanitarian aid to returning home. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had returned to the UK after working in recently founded non-governmental organisations in Northern France between 2016 and 2019. Analysis of interview data identified four superordinate themes: (1) shared humanitarian identity, (2) limits and borders, (3) holding on to humanitarian identity and (4) redefining belonging and identity. Aid workers’ belonging in humanitarian work settings is rooted in shared moral values and being able to fulfil a clearly defined role. Upon returning, aid workers struggled to reintegrate, manifesting as denial of having left humanitarian work, re-creation of the social setting and moral demarcation. Participants formed a new sense of belonging through redefining their social in-group. The study sheds light on a previously unexplored area of research, specifically characterised through the closeness of the international humanitarian setting and participants’ homes. Findings suggest organisations can assist aid workers’ re-entry by supporting professional distance in the field, and through opportunities that allow to sustain moral values post-mission. Future research should focus on the role of peer support in the re-entry process and the re-entry experiences of aid workers returning from comparable settings further afield (e.g. Greece).

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Digital Intervention to Promote Healthy Weight Management among Postpartum African American/Black Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2178
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Napolitano ◽  
Cherise B. Harrington ◽  
Loral Patchen ◽  
Lindsey P. Ellis ◽  
Tony Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
Postpartum Weight ◽  
American Black

The study aim was to implement and evaluate the feasibility of a culturally informed (“BeFAB”) app for African American/Black women to address postpartum weight. Women (n = 136; mean age = 27.8 ± 5.4; mean BMI = 32.5 ± 4.3) were recruited from postpartum units, and randomly assigned to receive BeFAB (n = 65) or usual care (n = 71) for 12 weeks. App content included didactic lessons delivered via a virtual coach, app-based messages, goal setting and tracking, and edutainment videos. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention and engagement, and self-reported acceptability. Behavioral (i.e., diet, physical activity), psychosocial (i.e., stress, coping, support, self-efficacy) and weight outcomes were also examined. Recruitment goals were met, but attrition was high, with 56% retention at 12 weeks. Approximately half of participants accessed the app and set a goal ≥one time, but <10% reported achieving a nutrition or activity goal. Among study completers, ≥60% found the app content at least somewhat helpful. Within-group changes for BeFAB among completers were found for increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and decreased fruit/vegetable intake and weight. Findings indicate initial feasibility of recruiting postpartum women to participate in a digital healthy body weight program but limited use, reflecting low acceptability and challenges in engagement and retention. Future research is needed on strategies to engage and retain participants in postpartum interventions.

scholarly journals Exploring International and Inter-Sector Differences of Social Enterprises in the UK and India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5870
Author(s):  
Philipp Kruse
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Shape Features ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) describes a new entrepreneurial form combining the generation of financial and social value. In recent years, research interest in SE increased in various disciplines with a particular focus on the characteristics of social enterprises. Whereas a clear-cut definition of SE is yet to be found, there is evidence that culture and economy affect and shape features of SE activity. In addition, sector-dependent differences are supposed. Building on Institutional Theory and employing a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, this study sheds light on the existence of international and inter-sector differences by examining 161 UK and Indian social enterprises. A content analysis and analyses of variance were employed and yielded similarities as well as several significant differences on an international and inter-sector level, e.g., regarding innovativeness and the generation of revenue. The current study contributes to a more nuanced picture of the SE landscape by comparing social enterprise characteristics in a developed and a developing country on the one hand and different sectors on the other hand. Furthermore, I highlight the benefits of jointly applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Future research should pay more attention to the innate heterogeneity among social enterprises and further consolidate and extend these findings.

scholarly journals OESDs in an on-road study of semi-automated vehicle to human driver handovers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neville A. Stanton ◽  
James W. Brown ◽  
Kirsten M. A. Revell ◽  
Jisun Kim ◽  
Joy Richardson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Sequence Diagrams ◽  
Driving Simulators ◽  
Human Driver ◽  
Handover Process ◽  
Vehicle Automation ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Road Study

AbstractDesign of appropriate interaction and human–machine interfaces for the handover of control between vehicle automation and human driver is critical to the success of automated vehicles. Problems in this interfacing between the vehicle and driver have led, in some cases, to collisions and fatalities. In this project, Operator Event Sequence Diagrams (OESDs) were used to design the handover activities to and from vehicle automation. Previous work undertaken in driving simulators has shown that the OESDs can be used to anticipate the likely activities of drivers during the handover of vehicle control. Three such studies showed that there was a strong correlation between the activities drivers represented in OESDs and those observed from videos of drivers in the handover process, in driving simulators. For the current study, OESDs were constructed during the design of the interaction and interfaces for the handover of control to and from vehicle automation. Videos of drivers during the handover were taken on motorways in the UK and compared with the predictions from the OESDs. As before, there were strong correlations between those activities anticipated in the OESDs and those observed during the handover of vehicle control from automation to the human driver. This means that OESDs can be used with some confidence as part of the vehicle automation design process, although validity generalisation remains an important goal for future research.

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