Preventive Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle

Key Points More than 60% of adults in the United States self-report that they are in excellent health, although more than 60% are overweight or obese and almost 60% do not participate in any vigorous physical activity. Obesity is a growing problem globally. A major finding in the 20th century was that a simple B vitamin (folic acid) could prevent a very serious birth defect of the neural tube; furthermore, folic acidcontaining multivitamins taken during the periconceptional period significantly reduced cardiovascular and renal defects as well as neural tube and cleft lip-cleft palate defects. Low intakes of many of the essential micronutrients are associated with increased risk of low birth weight and/or premature births, maternal morbidity and mortality in both developed and undeveloped nations. Interventions have the potential to reduce health care costs by billions of dollars annually. Childhood undernutrition, also seen in both developed and undeveloped nations, significantly reduces intellectual capacity and increases infection-related morbidity/mortality. Micronutrient fortification is predicted to be highly cost-effective. Regarding adult chronic diseases/conditions, 5 of the 10 leading causes of death are related to diet. Although recent intervention trials with single or multiple micronutrients did not show decreases in secondary events, baseline findings continue to confirm the strong associations between higher than average intakes and significantly reduced risks of, for example, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Osteoporosis, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, and hypertension appear to be likely candidates for preventive nutrition intervention strategies. Predicted annual cost savings above and beyond the costs for the nutritional interventions could reach $50 billion.