The nutrition gap is created when the nutritional needs of an individual are not in line with the actual nutritional intake. It is estimated by the WHO that 2 billion people have a nutrition gap. This can be iron deficiency or anemia in poor areas with insufficient food supplies, but also other mineral and vitamin deficiencies in affluent areas due to an unbalanced or unhealthy diet.

There is also a severe nutrition gap in healthcare and management of disease. It is estimated that only one third of patients have access to nutritional advice or medical nutrition.

The benefits of optimum nutrition on health are well documented. The example of diseases across the globe in the previous century like goiter, rickets and pellagra which were due to micronutrient deficiencies today have disappeared thanks to food fortification and adoption of balanced diets. Hence closing the nutrition gap improves public health and consequently contributes to lower healthcare costs, greater productivity and economic growth.

Closing the nutrition gap can also improve disease outcomes. When cancer patients have access to nutritional counselling and adhere to a high protein diet the benefits are better response to medical therapy, shorter hospital stays, higher quality of life and higher survival rates.

The nutrition gap is complex and a multifactorial situation requiring the attention and engagement of policy-makers. A structured and strategic approach with specific goals and focused actions is a good basis to start from. In summary:

• Identification of a key nutritional issue and its implications, for example vitamin D deficiency in Greek toddlers and elaboration of the solution and required nutritional intervention
• Building of awareness towards relevant target groups in collaboration with a multifunctional /multidisciplinary team
• Establishment of screening programs and nutritional counselling
• Development and implementation of national nutritional guidelines

References

• World Health Organization
• Manfred Eggersdorfer. Even in wealthy nations, malnutrition is a serious public health problem. Euractiv 2014
• MNI Medical Nutrition Industry. Value of medical Nutrition in Oncology. Evidence Dossier 2020

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