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FSAI Conference Explores Performance Nutrition for Young People

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) Food Safety Consultative Council today hosted an open meeting to discuss the effect on young people (aged 13-35 years) of performance nutrition and the proliferation of related food products and supplements. ‘Food and Fitness – the Recipe for Performance?’ provided a platform for leading experts to debate issues around sports and fitness nutrition, including the use of performance enhancing products and supplements, misleading nutritional claims and the important role of a balanced diet suitable for young people and their activities. Also participating to share their experiences first-hand were Shane Jennings, former Irish professional rugby union and Leinster player, and Richie Hogan, Senior Kilkenny Hurler.

According to Ms Veronica Campbell, Chair of the Food Safety Consultative Council, the open meeting gives the general public an opportunity to see the workings of the Food Safety Consultative Council and to participate in current topics of interest in the food health arena.

    “This event draws on the views of leading experts from the nutrition, medical, sports and public health community to explore how diet contributes to athletic and sporting performance and how best to protect young people from misleading claims in relation to nutrition and sports supplements. This is of great importance given the health role played by good nutrition, particularly for young people whose bodies may still be developing.”

According to Dr Mary Flynn, Chief Specialist: Public Health Nutrition, FSAI young people are exposed to a significant amount of misinformation on sports nutrition which has potential negative implications for their health now and in the future. Speaking to the delegates, she stated that the sports food industry is globally worth over €65 billion a year, with product promotion sometimes targeted along gender lines promoting muscle gain in males and weight loss in females. Young people can be more susceptible to these types of messages.

    "Young teenagers, who are still growing, need to be protected against unhealthy messages that promote a single unrealistic body image as the ‘ideal’ for young people. This weakens self-esteem and leads to unhealthy body image concerns. In reality, the variation of body types is very wide and changes hugely during the growing years of adolescence,” says Dr Flynn. “Having a good diet in terms of type of fat eaten, enough fibre and essential vitamins and minerals is crucial for optimal growth and development that ensures young people reach their full potential for lifelong health, as well as sports performance. This type of evidence based dietary advice will be helped further by the Department of Health led review of healthy eating guidelines which is nearing completion. Regrettably, sound nutritional advice is often drowned out by misinformation including ‘fat burner’ claims and extreme high protein diets that are inadequate in many essential nutrients.”

Noreen Roche, Sports Dietitian to the Kilkenny Hurling Team, said: “Young people participating in sport can meet their nutritional requirements from a healthy balanced diet using the food pyramid as a guide. Preparation is key and should be considered in the same way as you would when choosing the right sports gear to wear. Eating and drinking the right food and fluid before and after sport is very beneficial, keeping in mind that key nutrients such as iron, calcium and vitamin D play an important role for growth and development.”

Dr Conor O’Brien, Consultant Neurophysiologist and Physician in Sports Medicine at the Sports Surgery Clinic noted that the worldwide pattern of performance enhancing drug (PED) abuse is changing, with many individuals taking these substances for cosmetic and work related reasons, rather than sports performance. Dr O’Brien stated: “It is now estimated that over 3 million Americans are abusing these substances. Little resources are given to educating the general public on the significant dangers of this common practice, with most being committed to detection programs among elite athletes. Sports supplements are often sold as ‘miracle cures’ with little scientific validation. They can be contaminated or adulterated with PEDs and users of these seemingly harmless agents can be exposing themselves to potential health risk.”

Dr O’Brien called for greater education in schools and among health care providers to address this problem. He has also underlined the need for a simple reporting registrar of adverse effects associated with sports supplement use.

Commenting on the importance of education in the area of food supplements, Conn Mc Cluskey, Chief Executive Officer, Ireland Active said: “Ireland Active is delighted to be working with Sport Ireland in raising awareness and standards in the area of food supplements as part of our White Flag Awards. We see education as the key tool in working with our members to raise standards in our industry.”

The event was chaired by food writer and broadcaster Ms Suzanne Campbell.

Food Safety Consultative Council