Folkehelsernæring

Folkehelsernæring, often translated as public health nutrition, is a field concerned with promoting health and preventing disease through food and nutrition at a population level. It goes beyond individual dietary advice to address the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence eating patterns and nutritional status within communities. Key objectives include improving the nutritional well-being of all segments of the population, reducing diet-related non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and addressing nutritional deficiencies.

The practice of folkehelsernæring involves a range of activities. These can include developing and implementing national dietary guidelines, creating policies to support healthy food environments, such as regulating food marketing or subsidizing healthy foods, and conducting surveillance to monitor the nutritional status of the population. Educational initiatives, community-based programs, and partnerships with various sectors like agriculture, education, and urban planning are also integral. Evidence-based research is fundamental to understanding nutritional challenges and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Ultimately, folkehelsernæring aims to create conditions where healthy food choices are the easiest and most accessible choices for everyone.