Define needs to promote food security and sustainable in different age ranges

WP 5.2 addressed nutritional adequacy as a central dimension of public health across the life course, recognising that energy and nutrient requirements vary according to age, physiological conditions, lifestyle and environmental contexts. The work aimed to define more accurate nutritional needs and to strengthen the reliability of assessment tools beyond uniform and generalised approaches.

A significant research focus concerned older adults, a population group particularly exposed to subtle yet clinically relevant forms of malnutrition. Nutritional adequacy was analysed across different living contexts, including community and residential settings, examining dietary habits, health conditions, lifestyle patterns and service organisation. Existing nutritional protocols were compared and critically evaluated, highlighting the need for greater harmonisation and improved awareness among older individuals and their caregivers.

The research also investigated energy and protein requirements in adulthood and ageing, critically assessing the validity of predictive equations used to estimate resting energy expenditure. Commonly applied formulas were compared with reference methods based on more precise metabolic and functional measurements. The findings clarified the strengths and limitations of current approaches and emphasised the importance of more accurate estimations to support genuinely personalised nutritional recommendations, particularly for older and physically active populations. In parallel, the role of protein intake in preventing functional decline was explored, including the evaluation of alternative and unconventional protein sources in relation to nutritional needs and sustainability.

Special attention was dedicated to early life stages, recognised as critical windows for chronic disease prevention. Observational studies and lifestyle interventions deepened the understanding of maternal, nutritional and environmental determinants during pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life. The establishment of prospective cohorts and longitudinal data collection strengthened the scientific basis for primary prevention strategies focused on dietary quality, gestational weight management and early metabolic health.

The analysis was extended to adult populations with specific nutritional requirements, including physically active individuals and young adults. Original data on dietary patterns, physical activity, sleep quality and nutritional knowledge contributed to the development and validation of targeted assessment tools. Evidence-based educational interventions demonstrated that structured approaches can enhance adherence to healthy and sustainable dietary models, even in socially diverse and highly mobile contexts.

In addition to generating original data, WP 5.2 played a relevant role in reviewing and harmonising existing guidelines and position papers. The adopted framework integrated nutritional factors, lifestyle behaviours, intra- and inter-individual variability and environmental exposures, reinforcing the scientific foundations for life-course nutrition strategies.