University of Aberdeen nutritionists are developing and testing new foods with satiating qualities to help control appetite, manage weight and combat obesity. Their work, which is part of a major collaborative 6 milllion pounds EU-funded project, was discussed at the British Science Festival today Wednesday September 5.
It’s hoped their research will help tackle the UK’s obesity epidemic – with estimations indicating that 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children in the UK will be obese by 2050.
The research aims to exploit better understanding of the biological processes in the stomach and the brain that underpin what makes us feel "full", and evaluate whether this approach is a viable weight management tool.
Dr Alexandra Johnstone from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health said: “Obesity is a major public health issue facing the European Union and reducing it is a priority for all European governments. This project aims to draw upon our improved understanding of appetite expression - how the foods we eat affect eating behaviour and appetite. If we can develop new food products that fill people up quicker and for longer and taste good then we can help moderate appetite whilst maintaining a healthy balanced diet.
“To date, satiety-enhancing food products on the market have not been effective or appealing in terms of taste. Taste and hedonistic experience of food supercedes the health benefits of a food product which is why overweight consumers tend to reject low‐energy, high‐fibre diets although they promote weight loss.
“However, changes to the structure and viscosity of food structures have also been found to affect taste and reduce the pleasure of consumption.
“Our study will look to understand the part flavour, texture and even the visual appeal of food play in contributing to the feeling of being “full” and examine how much satisfaction through eating can be attributed from physiological properties and how much is perceptive.
“Through the project we will also examine the appetite response to novel foods and how they impact on the gut. We know that the gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract is important for influencing signals that control hunger, satiety and food intake and this work will help us investigate this further.”
The project will use advanced food processing technologies including advanced forms of fermentation, vacuum technology, enzyme application, emulsification, ultra‐filtration, drying, sublimation and freezing, heat treatment, protein modification and encapsulation - to modify the structure of the foods which accelerate satiation, enhance satiety and to reduce appetite.
ENDS
Dr Alexandra Johnstone is taking part in a press conference at the British Science Festival on Wednesday September 5 at 1pm.
She is available for interview to journalists not attending the Festival. To arrange contact / Kelly Potts/ Jennifer Phillips on 01224 272960/273174.
Additional information:
- Obesity has a severe impact on people’s health, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and heart and liver disease.
- The direct costs to the NHS caused by obesity are estimated to be £4.2 billion per year in the UK.
- In several European countries, the cost of obesity has already reached 5% of public health expenditure.
The project involves the following partners:
* The University of Aberdeen, UK (UNIABN), http://www.abdn.ac.uk/rowett/
* Karolinska Institutet, SE (KI), www.ki.se
* Kobenhavns Universitaet, DK (UCPH), www.ku.dk
* University of Leeds, UK (UNILEEDS), www.leeds.ac.uk
* University of Liverpool, UK (UNILIV), www.liv.ac.uk
* Universidad de Murcia, ES (UMUR), www.um.es
* Universitat Rovira I Virgili, ES (URV), www.urv.cat
Industry:
* Cargill Haubourdin SAS, FR (CARG), www.cargill.com
* Coca-Cola Services S.A., BE (CC), www.coca-cola.com
* Juver Alimentación S.L.U., ES (JUVER), www.juver.com
* Naturex, ES (NATRX), www.naturex.com
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises:
* Axxam S.p.A., IT (AXXAM), www.axxam.com
* BioActor BV, BE (BIOACT), www.bio-actor.com
* Asociación Empresarial de Investigación Centro Tecnológico Nacional Agroalimentario “Extremadura”, ES (CTAEX), www.ctaex.com
* Centro Tecnologico Nacional de la Conserva y Alimentación, ES (CTC), www.ctnc.es
* NIZO Food Research BV, NL (NIZO), www.nizo.com
* RTD Services Vienna, AT (RTDS), www.rtd-services.com
* ProDigest BVBA, BE (PRODI), www.prodigest.be
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. About the British Science Festival
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops. The Festival takes place at a different location each year and was last held in Aberdeen in 1963. The 2012 Festival will take place from 4 - 9 September hosted by the University of Aberdeen The 2012 British Science Festival in Aberdeen is organised by the British Science Association, the University of Aberdeen and TechFest-SetPoint .
For further information, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/festival .
The principal sponsors of the British Science Festival are BP and Shell U.K. Limited.
2. The University of Aberdeen
Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is the fifth oldest university in the UK, with a student population of around 16,000, and a large international community of students drawn from 120 different countries. The institution has an excellent reputation for teaching quality and research, and five Nobel Laureates are associated with the University.
3. About the British Science Association
The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation which provides opportunities for people of all ages to learn about, discuss and challenge the sciences and their implications. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science & Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org.