Micronutrient malnutrition, the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, is an issue across the whole life course, even in high-income countries. Micronutrient malnutrition often accompanies low intakes of both protein and energy and leads to serious developmental issues in children, affecting cognition, physical function, and growth. At the other end of the life-course, in older adults, recent research shows micronutrient malnutrition leads to decline in physical function, loss of muscle and cognition, and poor quality of life therefore, contributing to the diseases of aging, including sarcopenia and frailty.
Micronutrients also help to maintain immune resilience, likely conferring protection against COVID-19. A number of clinical conditions including bariatric surgery and gastrointestinal diseases also lead to micronutrient malnutrition.
Despite the high prevalence and importance of micronutrient malnutrition this is less well recognised in older western populations. On the other hand, low and middle income countries are experiencing the ‘double burden of disease’ where malnutrition coexists alongside the non-communicable diseases of aging; obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
As micronutrient malnutrition leads to irreversible changes in growth, body composition and cognition in childhood as well as in older age rectifying deficiency of micronutrients is highly important.
Registration link: https://www.nutritionsociety.org/events/winter-conference-live-2020
Group fees for 7 people or more (members do have a slightly better fee so worth joining NS just for that)
Member group rate - £35
Non-member group rate £50