Germany

The German Nutrition Society

Annual Report 2006

Table of contents 

1. The German Nutrition Society

2. The aims of the German Nutrition Society

From the onset, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) has been a non-profit making organization and is committed to scientific facts. The DGE is an official incorporated society and is not influenced by economic or political interests.

·            Nutrition Science

o        Supporting research on nutrition science

o        Ascertaining topics for nutritional research

o        Compiling and evaluating research results on nutrition science and related disciplines

o        Announcing research results on nutrition science and related disciplines by publications and events

o        Awarding prizes for outstanding nutrition scientists

·            Nutrition Counselling and Education

o        Coordinating scientifically proven and independent nutrition counselling and education

o        Quality assurance of nutrition counselling and education

3. Structure of the German Nutrition Society

About 4000 persons are presently DGE members. The annual general meeting of the members, is the main body of the DGE. This main body elects members of the scientific presidency and administrative board every three years.

The scientific presidency is a committee of 30 scientists from nutrition science and related disciplines. The scientists work on a voluntarily basis and are appointed every three years by the members of the committee.

The administrative board is comprised of administration experts, members of the scientific presidency, the branch offices in the Federal States of Germany and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. The Board supervises the management of the DGE.

The management is responsible for the implementation of activities, administrative tasks and personnel resources of the DGE.

The DGE’s Head Office is based in Bonn with branch offices in 11 Federal States. There are about 50 full-time employees at the Head Office. The DGE is further structured in five departments as follows:

·            Department of Science

·            Department of Nutrition Consulting

·            Department of Communal Catering

·            Department of Public Relations

·            Department of Further Training

·            Department of Administration

The DGE is regionally represented by branch offices in the following Federal States:

·            Baden-Wuerttemberg
·            Berlin
·            Brandenburg
·            Bremen
·            Hesse
·            Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
·            Saxony
·            Saarland
·            Lower Saxony
·            Schleswig-Holstein
·            Thuringia

4. Representing Germany in international organizations

The German Nutrition Society represents Germany in international organizations, such as the “International Union of Nutritional Sciences” (IUNS) and in the “Federation of European Nutrition Societies” (FENS).

5. Publications for Scientists, Nutritional Experts and Consumers

·         Nutrition Report 2004 (Ernährungsbericht 2004)

The Nutrition Report provides the latest statistical data of the nutritional situation in Germany. This report is supplemented by overviews, analyses and reviews of studies on present nutritional problems including evaluations. Publication is every four years on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

The Nutrition Report 2004 is available as original in German, as well as a summarized German Version with coloured pictures for consumers and a scientific summarized version in English.

·         The German Three-dimensional Food Pyramid (Dreidimensionale Lebensmittelpyramide)

The food guide pyramid provides the German dietary guidelines. In comparison to existing two-dimensional food pyramids, this model is a virtual pyramid and not a triangle. The Three-Dimensional Food Pyramid has the advantage of combining quantitative and qualitative recommendations for specific food groups.

The base of the pyramid shows the nutrition circle, illustrating different food groups and proportions recommended for a dietary plan. The sides of the pyramid show the following food groups based on a hierarchical, strong quality arrangement: meat and dairy products, oils and fats, vegetable food products, as well as beverages.

·         The Reference Values for Nutrient Intake (D-A-CH-Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr)

The Reference Values for nutrient intake, are the basis when planning a diet to comply with requirements of food intake. In addition, they form the basis for food rules and regulations of the food industry and for food monitoring. The latest edition of the “Reference Values for Nutrient Intake” is also available in English, French, Slovenian and Hungarian.

·         The Nutrition Journal “Ernährungs-Umschau”

This scientific journal is the organ of the German Nutrition Society. Published monthly, it offers a source of various information and results derived from scientific studies for nutritional experts.

·         The “DGEinfo”

The science based newsletter “DGEinfo” informs those active in nutrition counselling.

·         The DGE Consultation Standards (DGE-Beratungs-Standards)

The German Nutrition Society publishes the DGE-standards for nutritional education, to avoid confusion and to standardize statements in the field of nutrition for the benefit of consumers.

·         Various media

Leaflets, booklets (e.g. the “10 guidelines of the German Nutrition Society for a wholesome diet”), books, electronic media for nutritional experts and consumers are available.

·            “Fortbildungsprogramm 2007“
– detailed information concerning DGE seminars and congresses in 2007

·            “Ernährungsempfehlungen zur Verminderung des Krebsrisikos“
– information booklet with nutrition recommendations to reduce the risk of cancer

·            “Essen und Trinken bei chronischer Verstopfung“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from chronicle obstipation

·            “Essen und Trinken für Gichtkranke“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from gout

·            “Essen und Trinken bei Zöliakie“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from celiac disease

·            “Essen und Trinken bei Lactoseintoleranz“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from lactose intolerance

·            “Essen und Trinken bei Osteoporose“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from osteoporosis

·            “Essen und Trinken für Zuckerkranke mit Typ2-Diabetes“
– booklet with tips as to the choice of food and drink for persons suffering from type 2 diabetes

·            “DGE-Beratungs-Standards“
– DGE Standards for nutritional education

·            “Trink Dich fit“
– poster with tips recommending appropriate beverages for kids

·            “Die Dreidimensionale Lebensmittelpyramide interaktiv – Informationen - Quiz – Puzzle“
– an interactive CD-ROM about the Three-Dimensional Food Pyramid

·            “Einführung in die Ernährungslehre - unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der GV“
– Introduction in nutrition education – with particular regard for communal catering.

·            “Übergewicht bei Kindern und Erwachsenen – ein unendliches Thema?“
– Proceedings of the symposium “Overweight in children and adults – an endless story“

·            “Abstract-Band zum 43. Wissenschaftlichen Kongress der DGE“
– Proceedings of the German Nutrition Society with Abstracts of the 43rd Scientific Congress, Volume 8, 2006

Details concerning these publications as welll as media can be found on the homepage:

http://www.dge-medienservice.de

The press releases "DGE-aktuell", "DGE-intern" and "DGE-special" appear regularly. They offer well-founded news and background information for journalists.

6. Events in 2006

The German Nutrition Society organizes congresses, symposia, workshops and seminars mainly for nutritional experts and journalists.

9-10 March             43rd Scientific Congress of the German Nutrition Society in Stuttgart “Health deficiencies despite a surplus of food”

21-22 September    Scientific Symposium “Evaluation of fats by the German Nutrition Society” in Bonn

The Department of Further Training offers various educational courses. The topics range from expert seminars on nutrition knowledge to seminars about counselling methods. A very important training course for nutritionists and dieticians is the "Ernährungsberater/DGE", which is a highly recommended qualification for nutrition counselling. Approximately 550 persons took part in the courses of the Department of Further Training in 2006.

The training course offered by the Department of Communal Catering in 2006 was the "GV-geschulter Koch/GV-geschulte Fachkraft”. This training course involved seminars, where cooks and kitchen staff were trained in dietetics, general knowledge about food, hygiene, business management as well as general conditions for communal catering such as law and technology. In addition, the Department of Communal Catering offered on site consultations regarding large scale kitchens. Furthermore, several events were organized by the Department for professionals engaged in communal catering in day-care centres, schools and in residential homes for the elderly.

The DGE organizes seminars and press conferences for journalists to promote current and important topics on nutrition. Topic of the seminar for journalists in November 2006 was “50plus, 70plus – so what? Longer young and fit with a sensible choice of nutrition“. The German Nutrition Society awarded prizes for outstanding journalistic achievements at the annual Scientific Symposium.

7. Honours and Presentation of Prizes

The Germany Nutrition Society awarded prizes to the following journalists at the Scientific Symposium:

[Annual Report, 2006]