A Northern Ireland audience of health and education professionals has heard from experts from across the UK and Ireland on new developments in nutrition science and practice. The annual Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI) Nutrition & Health – What’s New conference covered a diverse range of topics such as the role of sleep in obesity and the best ways to change dietary behaviour in schools.

Speaking at the conference DCNI’s Dr Carole Lowis said that it provided a platform for the sharing of the latest scientific research: “Once again the DCNI nutrition conference has brought together speakers of the highest calibre to share the most up-to-date research with a very engaged and receptive group of delegates.  This conference is attended annually by nutrition and education professionals including dietitians, home-economics teachers, school catering managers, academics and PHD students. 

“Amongst the keynote presentations the 2015 delegates heard from Professor Barbara Livingstone, Ulster University on the influence of portion size in obesity; Professor Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading on the challenge of sustainable diets and the place of dairy foods therein; Dr Ciara Rooney, Queen’s University Belfast on changing dietary behaviour in schools; and visiting Professor Domhnall MacAuley, Ulster University on the role of physical activity on health questioning if sedentary behaviour is the ‘new smoking’.  A presentation on ‘Cheese and Health – an update on the evidence’ was made by Dr Anne Nugent, University College Dublin while Professor Jason Ellis, Northumbria University delivered a presentation entitled ‘Overweight and obesity – the role of sleep’.”

Sean Strain, Director of NICHE and Professor of Human Nutrition at Ulster University chaired the conference:

“Today’s event has been stimulating and interesting for all involved, with the breadth of topics covered this was truly a conference offering significant value to attendees.  Indeed I know from speaking to delegates that the nutrition conference has become a highlight in the annual nutrition calendar and is viewed as an important resource.”

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Notes to Editor:

Speakers included:• Professor Barbara Livingstone, Ulster UniversityOverweight and obesity – portion…size matters!• Professor Domhnall MacAuley, Ulster UniversityPhysical activity and health – is sedentary behaviour the ‘new smoking’?• Dr Ciara Rooney, Queen’s University BelfastChanging dietary behaviour in schools – what does the evidence show?• Professor Julie Lovegrove, University of ReadingThe challenge of healthy and sustainable diets – the place of dairy foods• Dr Anne Nugent, University College DublinCheese and health – an update on the evidence• Professor Jason Ellis, Northumbria UniversityOverweight and obesity – the role of sleep