Food and Nutrition-Related Diseases 359and implementation of targeted programs. In Box
15.5 one such an example is given, namely the topics
of the WHO’s integrated and intersectorial food poli-
cies and strategies to address the double burden of
nutrition problems throughout the life course.
There is agreement that policies and programs
should be implemented at all “levels” – from global
macrolevels to individual microlevels. These pro-
grams will include a variety of actions – from food
Box 15.5 UN Agencies: Intersectorial nutrition policies and
strategies to address the double burden of nutrition problems
throughout the life course1 Nutrition surveillance
2 Combating micronutrient defi ciencies- Fortifi cation
- Salt iodization
3 Nutrition advocacy
4 Developing national food-based dietary guidelines
5 Addressing nutrition and HIV/AIDS
6 Addressing obesity and other diet-related diseases
7 Improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition cycle
Improving nutrition of school-age children and adolescents
(integrated school-based program, nutrition friendly schools,
health promoting schools) - Ensuring appropriate fetal development
- Implementation of new growth reference
- Improving infant and young child nutrition (breastfeeding,
complementary feeding, baby-friendly hospitals, global
strategy on infant and young child feeding).
assistance of displaced people to educating consum-
ers how to choose healthy diets. The development of
food-based dietary guidelines in both the developed
and developing world to assist people to choose an
adequate but prudent diet for optimal nutrition is an
example of the latter. There is total agreement in the
body of literature on the nutrition challenges of the
twenty-fi rst century that the focus should be on pre-
vention of nutrition-related diseases to minimize
their serious economic and social consequences.Further reading
ASSAf. HIV/AIDS, TB and Nutrition. Scientifi c inquiry into nutri-
tional infl uences on human immunity with special reference to
HIV infection and active TB in South Africa. Pretoria, Academy
of Science of South Africa, 2007: 1–283 (www.assaf.org.za).
Murray CJ, Lopez AD, eds. The Global Burden of Disease. A
Comprehensive Assessment of Mortality and Disability from
Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors in 1999 and Projected to 2020.
Geneva, Harvard University Press and WHO, 1996: 1–989.
Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN). Working together to end
child hunger and undernutrition. SCN News 2007; 34: 1–80.
United Nations Administrative Committee on Coordination, Sub-
Committee on Nutrition (ACC/SCN), in collaboration with the
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 4th Report
of the World Nutrition Situation: Nutrition Throughout the Life
Cycle. Geneva, IFPR, 2000.
World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer
Research. Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention
of Cancer: A Global Perspective. Washington DC, AICR, 2007.
World Health Organization. Global Strategy on Diet, Physical
Activity and Health. Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of
Chronic Diseases. WHO. Technical Report Series, no 916. Geneva,
WHO 2007: 1–149 (http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/
publications/trs916/en/).