Long-term studies on prevention, behavior, and other priorities like integrated scientific research and education are needed to solve the global obesity epidemic according to scientists focused on remedying this pressing health problem. Their recommendations are the result of a three-day research summit organized by the Institute of Food Technologists, the not-for-profit international scientific society.
Results from the IFT Research Summit are published in this month’s issue of IFT’s flagship Food Technology magazine, available online at http://www.ift.org/foodtechnology.
The participating experts recognize obesity must be acknowledged as a disease. Ways to enhance short- and long-term weight management will require a better understanding of obesity in prenatal, infant, and childhood nutrition they say. Collaboration among public and private sectors is necessary.
The scientists urge focused effort on technological advancements allowing for more precise and valuable diagnostic and monitoring tools such as personal devices for measuring caloric and nutritive intake and energy expenditure.
Identifying reliable long-term behavioral and biological indicators of obesity risk are needed, as are the motivations behind choosing foods and choosing when to stop eating. Once food-related behavior is better understood, more effective modification strategies can be established according to the scientists.