Innovation in Nutrition Informatics

Nutrition informatics (NI) is the efficient retrieval, organisation, storage, and use of information, data, and knowledge for food-and-nutrition-related problem-solving and decision-making. There is a rising possibility to assist NI research and practice by facilitating technology-enabled behavioral change initiatives. The current study illustrates the evolving landscape of food and nutrition practices in India in order to build an NI workforce that can provide some important tools to alleviate the double burden of nutrition. Data management and analysis could further aid in the clarification of the links and interrelationships between diet and disease in India at both the national and regional levels. 

Read more: 

Joshi, A., Gaba, A., Thakur, S., & Grover, A. (2021). Need and Importance of Nutrition Informatics in India: A Perspective. 13(6), 1836–1836. //doi.org/10.3390/nu13061836

Nutrition informatics is the study of the relationship between information, nutrition, and technology. However, informatics involves more than just employing technology to complete tasks. The essence of nutrition informatics is to manage nutrition data in conjunction with standards, methods, and technology to increase knowledge and practise, resulting in improved health care quality and work efficiency.

Given the volume and complexity of the information, as well as the urgency for developing outcomes to the health problems experienced in a transforming food environment, Nutrition informatics may be able to give some useful tools. Big data management and interpretation could aid in clarifying the links and interrelationships between diet and disease as they relate to socioeconomic and agricultural changes occurring in India on both a national and regional scale. Data mining could produce tailored, evidence-based recommendations and serve as a guide for activities.

Integration of informatics systems into nutritional care improves nutrition care quality and professional efficiency. Informatics enhances dietitians' efficiency and quality of work in meal planning and menu evaluation. Taking Nutrition informatics beyond the basics will necessitate the integration of skills in the selection, utilization, and management of appropriate technology, as well as abilities in advising consumers in the application of information available to them via informatics systems.

Nutrition informatics data can help researchers better understand the factors that influence food choices in different regions, how those decisions affect health outcomes, and the likely efficacy of enacting food and nutrition policies.

References: 

//www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212267219305179

Joshi, A.; Gaba, A.; Thakur, S.; Grover, A. Need and Importance of Nutrition Informatics in India: A Perspective. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1836. //doi.org/10.3390/nu13061836  

Many of the original articles on nutrition and computers deal with reducing food costs and eliminating redundancy in data entry in food and nutrition departments (22-32). In the majority of cases, these systems often were custom creations or spreadsheets specific to the facility (33-36).Limited documentation of these early systems exists; however, technological capabilities at the time obviously limited their sophistication. The release of the Windows operating system (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA) in 1990 created the opportunity for nutrition-specific software development that allowed for user-friendly exchange of data. Software companies today continue to update systems to the Windows operating system.Nevertheless, computer systems andsoftware applications have been used successfully in a variety of nutrition settings.
Computer use in dietetics has focused primarily in the following areas:
● Inventory management systems: Dietetics professionals realized early on that computers were a useful tool for managing effectively the
volumes of data necessary for purchasing and inventory maintenance.
● Nutrient analyses: Interest in using computers to accurately calculate nutritional values of menus, patient’s intake, and modified diets
was first documented in the early 1960s.
● Nutrition research: Researchers have used computers for areas of statistical computation used in reporting study results. Nutrient analysis programs are used by research dietitians for consistency in evaluation. In addition, researchers use computer programs for accurate protocol data reporting.
Reference: //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002822305019012

Innovation in health informatics refers to the use of computer technology and informatics concepts to enhance health outcomes. It is the procedure for gathering, managing, and analysing health data in order to enhance healthcare. It enables improved population health management, helps healthcare professionals optimise the delivery of healthcare, and lowers medical expenses. Health informatics innovation can be utilised to improve population health management, administrative and clinical process simplification, evidence-based care delivery, and healthcare quality and safety. Electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth and telemedicine, decision support systems, clinical data repositories and analytics, and practise management software are some examples of innovations in health informatics. Health informatics innovation has the power to transform healthcare and enhance results for patients, providers, and the entire health system. If healthcare professionals are properly trained to use them, digital health technologies may be essential for enhancing health outcomes. Future training programmes must take into account how digital health is developing and embrace emerging digital trends. It is important to keep working to raise dietitians understanding of the advantages of HIT and nutrition informatics.

References

//openaccesspub.org/medical-informatics-and-decision-making/health-informatics-innovation

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8230128/#sec3-nutrients-13-01836title

Nutrition informatics is the management of the information dietetics professionals need to practice successfully while tailoring recommendations to meet each patient’s specific needs.
Nutrition informatics is a field that focuses on the application of information technology and data science of nutrition.
NI integrates principles from nutrition science, computer science & information systems to address various challenges related to nutrition and dietary interventions.
The primary goal of NI is to enhance the acquisition, organization & interpretation of nutrition data for decision making purposes.
Some Innovations in NI:
1. Mobile apps have emerged as powerful tools for nutrition tracking, dietary assessment & behaviour change like Nutrify India Now is a mobile app developed by the NIN.
2. Food Data Standardization
3. Integrated Digital Health Platforms
4. Electronic Health Records (EHR’s) systems include nutrition modules allowing healthcare providers to document and access patient’s dietary information efficiently.
5. Data Analytics help researchers gain insights into population level dietary patterns, identify risk factors & develop targeted interventions.
Hence, Digital health technologies can be key to improving health outcomes, provided healthcare workers are adequately trained to use them. These innovations can improve efficiency & effectiveness of nutrition research & interventions.
Reference:
1. //doi.org/10.3390/nu13061836
2. //www.usfhealthonline.com

Informatics has become an essential component of research in the past few decades, capitalizing on the efficiency and power of computation to improve the knowledge gained from increasing quantities and types of data. Nutrition is one of the most integral components of human life, and it impacts individuals far beyond just nutrient provisions. The Digital India Initiative’s goal is to create infrastructure as a utility through which every citizen can access multiple public services through a single integrated window. Several cloud platforms using open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), such as Seva, PayGov, eSangam, and MeghRaj established to provide software interoperability for all e-governance systems and applications. Multiple platforms currently exist or are under development to collect, tabulate and report nutrition information in India.

1. a) Common application software (CDS-CAS) introduced by POSHAN Abhiyan is a web and mobile phone-based application to improve nutrition outcomes, service delivery and program management. It enables Anganwadi workers (AWWs) to track service delivery and make informed decisions by facilitating AWWs in their job tasks and responsibilities, and helps supervisors to assess & provide feedback to them.
2. b) Jan Andolan Dashboard is a mobile application that reports on community-based events, social and behavioral change events, and district-planned activities..
3. d) POSHAN has generated district nutrition profiles (DNPs) for the 640 districts of India to facilitate evidence-based discussions about undernutrition. 
4. e) Nutrify India Now is a mobile app developed by the NIN, which guides in assessing the nutrients provided by foods consumed. 

References: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7833928/

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8230128/

//www.eatrightpro.org/practice/dietetics-resources

Nutrition research is rapidly evolving and embracing digital transformation to generate massive volumes of data. These large volumes of data are generated through national prospective cohorts, longitudinal studies, household surveys, and other sources due to the rapid rise of nutrition surveillance and intensive research in public health and personalized nutrition. Nutrition data platforms are becoming an increasingly important opportunity for this rapid development. Over the last few decades, interactive dashboards, which are extensively used in commercial data analytics, have become increasingly popular in the health and nutrition areas. In the subject of food and nutrition, the World Food Program's Hunger Map Live dashboard seeks to track nutrition outcomes with a focus on anticipating hunger on a worldwide scale. UNICEF's interactive Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates dashboard seeks to assist nations in generating, analyzing, and utilizing data to monitor malnutrition in children and women. Through interactive graphs, maps, and data summaries, these comprehensive data platforms enable a wide range of consumers to study numerous data sources. The Global Nutrition and Health Atlas (GNHA) is active in data organization, standardization, and harmonization, so the data structure is adaptable and continuously updated to integrate data of various types and formats. Most existing nutrition data platforms, as expected, are very specialized and focus on specific nutritional concerns, such as vitamin deficiency, hunger, or food fortification.

Reference:

//www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299122000476

A new blog on nutrition informatics that is available through  was started in May 2010 and offers members and others information on the Health Information Technology for Economic Clinical Health and meaningful usage. These projects, which aim to modernise US healthcare delivery, are overseen by the Office of the National Coordinator at the US Department of Health and Human Services.8 Health care has entered the digital era as a result of Health Information Technology for Economic Clinical Health and meaningful usage. Dietetics practises will be shaped by trends and concerns in the future, according to the 2011 Dietetics Workforce Demand Study.9 The study's central finding was that technology was accelerating change across all practice areas.Nutrition informatics is a new area for the Academy and there are few “informatics experts” based on published Delphi study criteria. With that in mind, participants were recruited based on their area of practice and their willingness to participate. In order to reach consensus on informatics competencies, groups of practitioners were sought from five constituencies: educators, clinical or community practice (including long-term care), informatics, administration and management, and Academy staff. The inclusion of Academy staff was considered to be important to the findings of this study as the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics establish educational opportunities for practitioners and educational competencies for students, respectively. Although the development of competencies for students was a stated outcome, students were not recruited to participate in this study. The educator’s cohort served to represent this group based on their experience with curriculum and supervised practice settings.

Reference :

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652246/

Innovation in nutrition informatics refers to the application of information technology and data science in the field of nutrition to enhance the collection, analysis, interpretation, and utilization of nutrition-related information. It involves the development and use of technology-driven solutions to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of nutrition research, assessment, and interventions.

Here are some examples of innovations in nutrition informatics:

1. Mobile Apps and Wearable Devices: Mobile applications and wearable devices have become increasingly popular tools for tracking nutrition and monitoring health. These innovations allow users to record their food intake, track their physical activity, and receive personalized recommendations based on their nutritional needs. They can also provide real-time feedback and reminders to help individuals make healthier choices.

2. Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Electronic health records have transformed the way health information is stored and accessed. In the context of nutrition, EHRs enable healthcare providers to capture and analyze patients' nutritional data, including dietary intake, allergies, and medical conditions. This information can be used to develop personalized nutrition plans and track progress over time.

3. Data Analytics and Machine Learning: Data analytics and machine learning techniques have the potential to revolutionize nutrition research and practice. These methods can analyze large datasets to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in nutrition-related data. For example, they can help identify risk factors for certain diseases, develop predictive models, and optimize nutritional interventions for specific populations.

4. Nutrigenomics: Nutrigenomics combines nutrition science with genomics to understand how individual genetic variations influence nutrient metabolism and response to diet. Innovations in this field involve the use of bioinformatics tools and techniques to analyze genomic data and provide personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual's genetic profile. This approach has the potential to optimize nutrition interventions and improve health outcomes.

5. Telehealth and Virtual Counseling: Telehealth platforms and virtual counseling services have gained traction in recent years, especially in remote areas or when in-person visits are challenging. These technologies enable nutritionists and dietitians to provide consultations, deliver personalized nutrition advice, and monitor progress remotely. Virtual counseling sessions can be conducted through video calls, messaging platforms, or mobile apps, making nutrition guidance more accessible and convenient.

6. Blockchain Technology: Blockchain technology offers a decentralized and secure platform for storing and sharing nutrition-related data. It can be used to track the entire food supply chain, from production to consumption, ensuring transparency and traceability. This innovation has the potential to address issues related to food safety, fraud, and sustainability, while also promoting trust and accountability.

In conclusion, innovation in nutrition informatics has the potential to revolutionize the field of nutrition by improving data collection, analysis, and personalized interventions. These innovations leverage technology and data-driven approaches to enhance our understanding of nutrition, promote healthy behaviors, and address individual and population health challenges.

Malnutrition in all of its manifestations is directly or indirectly linked to significant causes of death and disability around the world. This is true for both prenatal and infectious disorders, as well as chronic diseases. Globally in 2020, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight or obese. Around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition.

WHO also report about the inadequate data on nutritional status to make policy level changes. To address this issue  WHO has developed module on A national nutrition information system (NNIS) .It is  defined as a system for collecting, analyzing, storing, and disseminating nutrition information in a country. Routine data from a strong NNIS are key prerequisites for developing policies and programmes.

EIT is a pan European Union organization supported by EU ,world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community. Their is approach is to develop technology based solutions for nutrition and informatics  on Target population.

Here are 5 targeted nutrition innovations in Europe based on nutrition Informatics:

1. LOEWI: using blood diagnostics and lifestyle data to offer consumers personalised food supplements
2. Hologram Sciences: creating holistic, consumer facing digital platforms for targeted nutrition and advice
3. BeYou: harnessing AI to create mobile apps that offer consumers tailored diet and exercise coaching
4. PROTEIN: using novel research and technologies to create an ICT-based data system for personalised nutrition
5. Eagle Genomics: advancing data science to better understand nutrition

Reference:

//www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240043275

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK258740/

//www.researchgate.net/publication/349482053_PeRsOnalised_nutriTion_for_hEalthy_livINg_The_PROTEIN_project

//www.eitfood.eu/blog/top-5-food-tech-innovations-in-targeted-nutrition

//data.unicef.org/resources/strengthening-nutrition-information-systems/

Nutrition informatics is the intersection of information, nutrition, and technology. However, informatics is not just using technology to do work. The essence of nutrition informatics is to manage nutrition data in combination with standards, processes, and technology to improve knowledge and practice that ultimately lead to improved quality of health care and work efficiency. Registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered, are already experts in using evidence to practice in all areas of nutrition and dietetics. To remain at the forefront of technological innovation, the profession must actively participate in the development of standards, processes, and technologies for providing nutrition care.

Need of NI in India:

Given the volume and complexity of the information and the urgency of developing solutions to the health problems encountered within a transitioning food environment, NI could provide some valuable tools. Management and interpretation of big data could help to clarify the relationships and interrelationships of diet and disease as these relate to the socioeconomic and agricultural changes occurring in India on both national and regional levels. Data mining could yield targeted, evidence-based recommendations and guide interventions.

Reference:

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8230128/

//www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(19)30517-9/fulltext

The effective retrieval, organization, storage and optimum use of information, data and knowledge for food and nutrition-related problem solving and decision making. Nutrition informatics is supported by the use of information standards, processes and technology.

RDNs (Registered Dietitians and Nutritionist’s) working in public health settings are key users of nutrition information to ensure the health of the communities they serve. Data from social media can be used to predict and track foodborne disease outbreaks. RDNs in public health can rapidly find the information needed to direct communities to safe food resources following natural disasters. Program development is facilitated by use of nutrition information found in databases.

: //doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.06.004

The most important issues that concern (and will concern in the future) the interdisciplinary field of Nutrition Informatics are the followings: • the interconnection of applications with valid data and databases, • the evaluation of applications for nutrition and dietetics, • the security of the personal data of users who use such applications mainly from mobile devices, • the interconnection of applications with artificial intelligence mechanisms and ontologies, in order to produce accurate and personalized guidelines concerning nutrition and diet, • the use of social media as means of promoting the business activity of professionals and practitioners and an essential way for dietitians to connect with information resources and various colleagues and clients to exchange information

  //dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejeng.2022.1.CIE.2961