scholarly journals FoodEx2 enhances the harmonization of food consumption, composition and carbon footprint databases

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ferreira de Sousa ◽  
V Padula de Quadros ◽  
A Balcerzak ◽  
T Bevere

Abstract Introduction FoodEx2 is a food classification and description system developed and maintained by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is currently used at global level with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) to harmonize datasets in the FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool - FAO/WHO GIFT. This is an open access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, for collation and dissemination of individual quantitative food consumption data, especially from low- and middle-income countries. Objective To demonstrate FoodEx2's usefulness in global harmonization of food description in food consumption datasets and its potential in facilitating food matching for various types of food data. Methodology Information was gathered from data owners of food consumption datasets and others who were trained to use FoodEx2, and on the number of datasets that have initiated or completed their data harmonization process, as a result of the FAO/WHO/EFSA collaboration. Main Findings Over 50 data owners of food consumption data and/or food composition tables (FCT) have been trained in data re-categorization with FoodEx2. As a result, 6 FCT and 25 food consumption datasets from 18 countries were or are being coded with FoodEx2, and out of those, 30 datasets are or will soon be disseminated through FAO/WHO GIFT in the form of infographics and microdata. Additionally, at least 3 databases of greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) estimates of foods have been mapped with FoodEx2. Conclusions Increased harmonization with FoodEx2 would enhance the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake assessments. Harmonization with FoodEx2 is being used to assess the environmental impact of diets and help identifying sustainable food consumption patterns.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ferreira de Sousa ◽  
A Balcerzak ◽  
T Bevere ◽  
V Padula de Quadros

Abstract Introduction Understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform, hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, providing access to harmonized individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods FAO/WHO GIFT disseminates IQFC data as ready-to-use food-based indicators in the form of infographics, and as microdata. The infographics intend to facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, providing an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. The microdata is publicly available for download, and is intended for users that would like to do further analysis of the data. Results FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository. By June 2020, 14 datasets were available for dissemination and download, and an additional 44 datasets will be made available by 2022. FAO/WHO GIFT also provides an inventory of existing IQFC data worldwide, which currently contains detailed information on 268 surveys conducted in 105 countries. Conclusions FAO/WHO GIFT collates, harmonizes and disseminates IQFC data collected in different countries. This harmonization is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments globally. FAO/WHO GIFT is developed in synergy with other global initiatives aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of IQFC data in LMICs to enable evidence-based policy-making for better nutrition and food safety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ferreira de Sousa ◽  
V Padula de Quadros ◽  
A Balcerzak ◽  
T Bevere

Abstract The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). The main objective of the session is to give the opportunity to participants to apply the knowledge gained over the previous sessions. Participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide using the FAO/WHO GIFT inventory map. Participants will also explore the potential of the Indicators section of the platform according to the needs of different fields of work (food consumption, food safety and nutrition). Expert users will learn how to download dietary microdata and how to take advantage of other data sources using the same food classification and description system - FoodEx2. The workshop will close with a brainstorm session on how the FAO/WHO GIFT platform can be improved to support participants work.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Koroušić Seljak ◽  
Peter Korošec ◽  
Tome Eftimov ◽  
Marga Ocke ◽  
Jan van der Laan ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1177-1186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn M. Hannon ◽  
Mairead Kiely ◽  
Albert Flynn

The objective of this work was to quantify the impact of the voluntary fortification of foods on dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals of Irish adults. Foods that were voluntarily fortified were identified and pre- and post-fortification levels of micronutrients were determined from data supplied by manufacturers and food composition tables. Using food consumption data in 1379 adults aged 18–64 years, estimated using a 7-d food diary during the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey, intakes of micronutrients were determined, both including and excluding the fortification component in foods. Of approximately 3000 foods recorded as consumed, 1·9 % were fortified, mainly breakfast cereals and beverages. Median micronutrient content of fortified foods (FF) ranged from 18–33 % EC RDA per typical serving. Among consumers (65 % of men, 68 % of women), FF contributed, on average, 3·9 % (men) and 5·0 % (women) to mean daily intake (MDI) of energy. Relative to their contribution to MDI of energy, FF contribute a greater % MDI for Fe (men 16, women 19), folate (men 18, women 21), vitamins B1(men 14, women 16), B2(men 16, women 18), B6(men 12, women 15), D (men 5, women 11), B12(men 5, women 7) and niacin (men 10, women 12). Fortification significantly improved the adequacy of intake of some micronutrients, particularly of riboflavin, folate, vitamin D and Fe in women and did not contribute to an increased risk of adverse effects from excessive intake of any micronutrient.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. However, there is a lack of data on what people eat, which makes it difficult for policy makers to develop and implement policies that can shape food systems to enable sustainable and healthy diets. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT, www.fao.org/gift-individual-food-consumption) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). FAO/WHO GIFT collates, harmonizes and disseminates IQFC data collected in different countries. The harmonization is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments globally. All datasets are harmonized with the European Food Safety Authority's food classification and description system FoodEx2. The data are disseminated as ready-to-use food-based indicators in the form of infographics, and as microdata. The infographics intend to facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, providing an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. The microdata is publicly available for download, and is intended for expert users that would like to do further analysis of the data. The main objective of the workshop is to provide participants with the opportunity to understand how to use the FAO/WHO GIFT platform for their work. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide, to compute ready-to-use indicators on food consumption, food safety and nutrition and how to download dietary microdata. In addition, the workshop will provide an overview of the potential uses of the FAO/WHO GIFT platform for developing or improving diet-related policies. The workshop will be structured in three parts. First, the FAO/WHO GIFT platform and its different features will be briefly demonstrated by the panelists. In the second part, participants will be introduced to the FoodEx2 system. In the third part, participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform and provide suggestions on how the platform could be improved to better support their work. The target audience are policy makers, researchers and students that work or are interested in the area of dietary assessment, food consumption surveys, nutrition, dietary exposure assessment, agriculture and/or food safety. Key messages FAO/WHO GIFT increases the quality, availability and use of dietary data from low- and middle-income countries. FAO/WHO GIFT can be used to inform evidence-based policy development for better nutrition and food safety.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (43) ◽  
pp. 1692-1700
Author(s):  
Viktória Szűcs ◽  
Erzsébet Szabó ◽  
Diána Bánáti

Results of the food consumption surveys are utilized in many areas, such as for example risk assessment, cognition of consumer trends, health education and planning of prevention projects. Standardization of national consumption data for international comparison is an important task. The intention work began in the 1970s. Because of the widespread utilization of food consumption data, many international projects have been done with the aim of their harmonization. The present study shows data collection methods for groups of the food consumption data, their utilization, furthermore, the stations of the international harmonization works in details. The authors underline that for the application of the food consumption data on the international level, it is crucial to harmonize the surveys’ parameters (e.g. time of data collection, method, number of participants, number of the analysed days and the age groups). For this purpose the efforts of the EU menu project, started in 2012, are promising. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1692–1700.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Li ◽  
Cynthia Jones ◽  
Girum S. Ejigu ◽  
Nisha George ◽  
Amanda L. Geller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Three months after the first reported cases, COVID-19 had spread to nearly 90% of World Health Organization (WHO) member states and only 24 countries had not reported cases as of 30 March 2020. This analysis aimed to 1) assess characteristics, capability to detect and monitor COVID-19, and disease control measures in these 24 countries, 2) understand potential factors for the reported delayed COVID-19 introduction, and 3) identify gaps and opportunities for outbreak preparedness, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We collected and analyzed publicly available information on country characteristics, COVID-19 testing, influenza surveillance, border measures, and preparedness activities in these countries. We also assessed the association between the temporal spread of COVID-19 in all countries with reported cases with globalization indicator and geographic location. Results Temporal spreading of COVID-19 was strongly associated with countries’ globalization indicator and geographic location. Most of the 24 countries with delayed COVID-19 introduction were LMICs; 88% were small island or landlocked developing countries. As of 30 March 2020, only 38% of these countries reported in-country COVID-19 testing capability, and 71% reported conducting influenza surveillance during the past year. All had implemented two or more border measures, (e.g., travel restrictions and border closures) and multiple preparedness activities (e.g., national preparedness plans and school closing). Conclusions Limited testing capacity suggests that most of the 24 delayed countries may have lacked the capability to detect and identify cases early through sentinel and case-based surveillance. Low global connectedness, geographic isolation, and border measures were common among these countries and may have contributed to the delayed introduction of COVID-19 into these countries. This paper contributes to identifying opportunities for pandemic preparedness, such as increasing disease detection, surveillance, and international collaborations. As the global situation continues to evolve, it is essential for countries to improve and prioritize their capacities to rapidly prevent, detect, and respond, not only for COVID-19, but also for future outbreaks.


Author(s):  
Sariyamon Tiraphat ◽  
Vijj Kasemsup ◽  
Doungjai Buntup ◽  
Murallitharan Munisamy ◽  
Thang Huu Nguyen ◽  
...  

Active aging is a challenging issue to promote older population health; still, there is little clarity on research investigating the determinants of active aging in developing countries. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the factors associated with the active aging of the older populations in ASEAN’s low and middle-income countries by focusing on Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. The study is a cross-sectional quantitative research study using multi-stage cluster sampling to randomize the sample. The sample consists of 2031 older people aged 55 years and over, including 510 Thai, 537 Malaysian, 487 Myanmar, and 497 Vietnamese. We collected a quantitative questionnaire of age-friendly environmental scale and active aging scale based on the World Health Organization (WHO) concept. The predictors of active aging include age-friendly environments, lifestyles, and socioeconomic factors; the data are analyzed by using multiple logistic regression. After adjusting for other factors, we found that older people living in a community with higher levels of age-friendly environments are 5.52 times more active than those in lower levels of age-friendly environments. Moreover, the older population with healthy lifestyles such as good dietary intake and high physical activity will be 4.93 times more active than those with unhealthy lifestyles. Additionally, older adults with partners, higher education, and aged between 55 and 64 years will be 1.70, 2.61, and 1.63 times more active than those with separate/divorce/widow, primary education, and age at 75 years or higher, respectively. Our results contribute considerable evidence for ASEAN policy-making to promote active aging in this region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S51-S52
Author(s):  
Kajal Mehta ◽  
Nikitha Thrikutam ◽  
Kiran K Nakarmi ◽  
Paa Ekow Hoyte-Williams ◽  
Michael Peck ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Cooking- and cookstove-related burns (CSBs) comprise a large proportion of burn injuries globally. A cookstove is any apparatus that provides heat and is used for cooking (e.g., three-stone fire, traditional or improved cookstove). There are limited data on patterns of cooking behaviors and CSBs to inform prevention initiatives and advocacy. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of cooking-related burns and CSBs, specifically. Methods Patients with cooking and non-cooking related burns from 2018 to 2020 were identified in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burn Registry (GBR). Patient demographics, cooking arrangement, injury characteristics [mechanism, total body surface area (TBSA), revised Baux score] and outcomes were described. Differences in proportions and medians were compared. Bivariate regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with occurrence of CSB. Results GBR contained data of 6,965 burn-injured patients from 17 countries; 88% were from middle-income countries. One quarter of burn injuries (1,723 burns) were cooking-related. More than half of cooking-related burns (55%) occurred in females. Median age for cooking-related burns was 11 years (IQR 2–35). Of cooking-related burns, 22% were cookstove-related burns (CSBs; 311 burns). The most common mechanism in CSB was flame (87%), whereas the most common mechanism in other cooking burns was scald (62%). Patients with CSBs were more often female (65% vs 53%; p< 0.001) and much older than patients with other cooking burns (32 years, IQR 22–47 vs 5 years, IQR 2–30). CSBs were significantly larger in TBSA size (30%, IQR 15–45% vs 15%, IQR 10–25%; p< 0.001), had higher revised Baux scores (70, IQR 46–95 vs 28, IQR 10–25; p< 0.001) and more often resulted in death (41 vs 11%; p< 0.001) than other cooking burns (Table1). Patients with CSBs were more likely to be burned by fires (OR 4.74; 95% CI 2.99–7.54) and explosions (OR 2.91, 95% CI 2.03–4.18) than other cooking injuries. Kerosene had the highest odds of CSB than all other cooking fuels (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.52–3.69). Conclusions Cooking-related burns are common and have different epidemiology than CSBs, specifically (e.g., more often female, older, larger burn size, higher mortality). CSBs were more likely caused by structural factors (e.g., explosion, fire) than behavioral factors (e.g., accidental movements) when compared to other cooking burns.


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