Nuevos retos de la nutrición comunitaria

The growing scientific and epidemiological evidence on the relationship diet and health has attracted the interest to enhance the qualitative nutritional profile that could positively impact the genesis of chronic diseases, the quality of life, physical and intellectual potential and longevity. As a result, in recent decades has driven the development of community strategies of nutritional surveillance and health promotion through healthy eating habits and giving rise to community nutrition.

The main practical functions that are developed in a community nutrition unit are to identify and assess nutritional problems of the community and to design, organize, implement, and evaluate nutrition intervention programs including occupational environment-oriented strategies, school-based interventions and programs targeted to high risk groups or to the general population. The community interventions aim to gradually adequate the nutritional pattern towards a healthier profile. Community nutrition programs require to combine different strategies in a multidisciplinary team approach.