Australia

"Australian Academy of Science"

National Committee for Nutrition (Australia)

2009 Membership

	Professor Jennie Brand-Miller (Chair)
	Professor Frank Dunshea
	Professor Mike Gidley
	Dr Jonathan Hodgson
	Associate Professor Maria Makrides
	Professor Caryl Nowson
	Professor Kerin O’Dea
	Professor Andrew Sinclair

Address

C/- Australian Academy of Science
GPO Box 783
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 2 6201 9400
Fax: +61 2 6201 9494

Webpage: http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/nc-nutrition.htm

Term of membership

Four year rotational basis

Year established

1972

Activity Report 2008

The Committee focussed on the sharp rise in iodine deficiency in Australia with ‘A Call to Action’ (http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/nc-nutrition-iodine.htm) published early in 2008. The consequences of iodine deficiency include a fall in Australia’s average IQ, a rise in learning difficulties and a fall in the number of gifted individuals.

To draw attention to the problem, the Committee organised a one-day symposium at the Shine Dome in May, 2008 in conjunction with the Nutrition Society of Australia and the International Life Sciences Institute Australasia. Although we cannot claim all the credit, Food Standards Australia New Zealand announced mandatory addition of iodised salt in bread shortly afterwards! However, this move alone is unlikely to be sufficient to protect the most vulnerable section of the population: pregnant women and their offspring. The Committee will therefore focus further efforts on the need for population-based nutrition monitoring in Australia.

The Committee is also working on the formation of a leadership program in nutrition for young and middle career nutritionists in Australia and New Zealand. Over the past year, one member of the Committee, Associate Professor Maria Makrides has liaised with Professor Ricardo Uauy, the President of the International Union of Nutritional Science (IUNS).