Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Sustainable lifestyle and nutrition in adult population, including phy...
Coordinator
Collection and harmonisation of existing guidelines and position papers taking into consideration the nutritional and lifestyle aspects as well as the intra/inter-individual variables and the environmental exposures affecting health promotion across life stages, with attention to maternal-infant dyad in the "first 1000 days", adult population (including physically active people and athletes) and free-living older adults.
Definition of new protocols/surveys for the evaluation of the nutritional status across life stages, with attention to maternal-infant dyad in the "first 1000 days"; b) adult population (including physically active people and athletes); and free-living older adults.
Education and training at different levels for i) academic; ii) healthcare professionals; iii) industries; iv) general population to promote models for healthy nutritional schemes (in connection with Spoke 7).
Systematic review on personalized nutrition a) in the first 1000 days window and b) physically active people and athletes (M12)
Roadmap of existing activities and services which support a) nurturance and nurturing care in the first 1000 days window and b) sport nutrition and physical activity habits (M24)
Recommendations for the adoption of adequate healthy dietary patterns a) during the first 1000 days window, b) physically active people, athletes (M36)
Validation of specific tools to evaluate nutritional knowledge, adherence to healthy diet, and dietary patterns in athletes and coaches (M32)
Educational modules "for long - life learning” in master courses and continuing medical education (M18)
Public engagement sessions (in connection with spoke 7) in the contest of National Congresses of nutritional societies including SINU, ANSISA, ASAND (M24)
Training courses for company employees (M24)
Regular physical activity improves mental health, quality of life and well-being. All activities that require energy expenditure (i.e. during leisure time, for transport…) can improve and preserve health status. Physically active people’s nutritional requirements do not differ from those of the general population but in some cases it could be useful to increase the quantity of food intake on the basis of the intensity of physical effort, without modifying the macronutrients proportion. Athletes require specific nutritional recommendations that have to take into account individual characteristics, food preferences, training program, type of sports and competitive objectives. Athletes’ diet must be varied, balanced and adequate to nutritional requirements.
Mapping the national population nutritional status could be necessary to evaluate the adequacy of food intake and to elaborate nutritional guidelines for specific population targets in accordance with healthy and sustainable principles of the Mediterranean Diet.
A holistic approach is needed to preserve the environment, implement the food systems and improve the wellbeing of the population ensuring a safe, adequate and healthy dietary pattern.
In the first part of this research project, a systematic review of the literature will be conducted with a focus on personalized nutrition of physically active people and athletes.
After literature analysis, an observational study will be conducted involving students and personnel of the University of Pavia, athletes of Centro Universitario Sportivo (CUS) of Pavia and National Sports Federations.
Participants’ dietary habits will be evaluated with a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) composed of 110 items. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - long form will be administered to the participants. Anthropometric (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, skinfold thickness) and body composition evaluation (bioelectrical impedance analysis) will also be conducted.
Specific recommendations for the adoption of adequate healthy dietary patterns by physically active people and athletes will be realized. These will be spread with the utilization of different types of tools such as platforms on social media, information campaigns, brochures, food education campaigns and culinary nutrition laboratories with dietitians and chefs.
This project would provide the basis for the development of specific tools for evaluating food intake and the adequacy of nutritional status of the adult population, including physically active people and athletes. Additional possible expected outcomes of the research will be:
All the above-mentioned interventions will translate into an improvement in quality of life and life expectancy and possibly into reduced costs for the healthcare system and better management of the delivery and quality of services, based on evidence.
