ELIZABETH E. KOUMPAN
IBM Corporation, Markham, Canada

Abstract

Food dietary components may affect gene expression directly or indirectly. No two humans are alike, reflecting in differences in nutritional processes such as absorption, metabolism, receptor action, and excretion. Genetic variation may also affect food likes and dislikes and, as a consequence, nutrition. There are more than 200 food disorders. Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illnesses. What we eat can change our lives. If we can improve our diet by accounting for specific medical disorder, environmental characteristics, such as location, weather conditions, we can have options for disease management.

Nutrition models can be used for estimating human requirements and nutrients derived from menus created for specific disease, and used by particular population based on geography, demographic, physiological, education, medical pre – condition. Insights from such data can be used to enhance the diet. ‘To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligent is an art’.

THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE

Globally, and as a society, we are facing significant health problems.  We have a workforce with reduced productivity because of chronic health problems. The majority of healthcare spending is for treatment of chronic diseases. Our diets are a key contributing factor in these issues, in part due to a lack of focus and balance of nutrients.

The World Health Organization recognize the nutrition as a major health factor where risk of chronic conditions is increased as the result of unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. We can see rapid rise of overweight and obesity across the globe, especially in children. There is lack of knowledge and understanding about nutrition information, and unhealthy food environment, that exists in schools and public institutions. Changing climate creating additional challenges, and we see continuous lack of alignment between health goals and food supply chain policies.

NUTRITION IS A VERY COMPLEX SCIENCE

There are different diets, applications, information, and multiple recommendations, that sometimes contradict ...