Partnerships essential to overcoming global nutritional challenges
Sustainability has been a topic of interest for both companies and consumers. The COVID-19 global pandemic emphasised the importance to adopt sustainable practices in an urgent matter. Importantly, Mattern stressed that all generations and consumers "are embracing environmental responsibility and sustainability, and making the connection between planetary health and personal health.” It is a great time for companies to upscale their sustainable considerations and contributions in the industry—especially as the United Nations UN declares the ‘UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’.1
Private-public collaborations are key to meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals surrounding malnutrition and improved health challenges
The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 resolution aims to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)2, focusing on improving the lives of ageing populations. As noted online: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the seriousness of existing gaps in policies, systems and services. A decade of concerted global action on Healthy Ageing is urgently needed to ensure that older people can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality in a healthy environment.” Thus, all industries can come together and collaborate to improve the lives of the ageing population, especially in developing countries—health and nutrition play a big role in that alongside Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
When considering how diets can be high in energy but low in nutrient densities, PPPs can help fix that and halt malnutrition, which is important for the ageing population that faces high risks for undernutrition and malnourishment. David Heber, the chairman of the Herbalife Nutrition Institute (HNI), shared in an editorial article3 that "35% of community-dwelling elderly are nutritionally deficient in protein, calories, minerals and vitamins. Lack of proper amounts of protein and sedentary lifestyles can lead to loss of muscle and gain of fat. There are also hidden aspects of malnutrition, with 20–65% of hospitalised elderly suffering from nutritional deficiencies. The prevalence of malnutrition in long-term care facilities is estimated to be between 30–60%.” The issue of malnutrition is big among the elderly; thus, the private sector can help the public sector by providing solutions to keep consumers' minds and bodies active and healthy as they age.
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Product fortification with functional foods, for example, can help with the nutrition density of foods consumed. The nutraceutical industry can further work with public bodies to supplement older consumers with nutrients missing from their dietary habits. Heber believes, "A systematic approach towards the cause of elderly care with equal participation from public and private entities will help achieve a standard that these seniors, in their golden age, deserve.”
References 1. World Health Organization (WHO). 2021. Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030). [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/initiatives/decade-of-healthy-ageing 2. United Nations (UN). 2021. THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. [online] Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals> 3. Heber, D., 2021. The Role of Nutrition in Healthy Ageing | Healthcare Management. [online] Asian Hospital & Healthcare Management. Available at: https://www.asianhhm.com/healthcare-management/role-nutrition-healthy-ageing
The nutraceutical industry can further work with public bodies to supplement older consumers with nutrients missing from their dietary habits