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Research at the University of Nottingham (UoN) has had influence on development of health policy in the UK and internationally. It is recognised that the risk of diseases related to obesity and insulin resistance, is partly determined by the nutritional environment experienced during early life. Against a background of scepticism researchers at the UoN have generated data that has been critical in demonstrating the biological plausibility of such associations. This has influenced expert panels and non-governmental organisations in framing their current recommendations for nutrition in pregnancy and infancy, which benefit women and children worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% to 90% of school children are affected by tooth decay in industrialised countries 1,2. At low levels, fluoride can reduce tooth decay, but high levels can damage developing tooth enamel in young children. Our research has informed the revised WHO guidelines for monitoring community tooth decay prevention programmes and the UK National Fluoridated Milk Advisory Group's recommendation to increase the amount of fluoride added to school milk. The WHO guidelines are accepted and implemented internationally representing a substantial spread of influence. The recommendation to increase the amount of fluoride in school milk UK-wide is significant, as it will further control and reduce dental caries, especially in deprived areas with non-fluoridated water supply. In addition, we have established better measures of babies' and children's actual and ideal fluoride intake, including better techniques to determine the fluoride content of foods, a protocol for monitoring fluoride intake through urinary excretion, and experimentally-based models to monitor community preventive programmes.
Impact: Policy, Animal Health and Welfare: Improved sow and piglet welfare and recommendations and codes of practice for farrowing and lactation systems that better meet sow and piglet needs.
Significance: Farrowing crates restrict sow movements interfering with natural sow behaviour and increasing psychological distress. Used predominantly to protect piglets, SRUC research demonstrated that piglet survival improved in loose-housed environments, undermining crate use.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, sows and piglets, the general public
Attribution: Drs Baxter and Jarvis, Professors Lawrence and Roehe (SRUC). Research collaboration was with Prof Sandra Edwards, University of Newcastle.
Reach: International legislative bans on farrowing crates; voluntary industry uptake of non-crate systems; EU recommendations/legislation on housing at farrowing, guidelines for keeping pigs (e.g. RSPCA Freedom Food).
BEAA research on high sugar grasses (HSG's) led to the breeding of HSG varieties that have had a significant impact on the contribution of grassland to livestock feeding across the UK. Their impact on the economy, commerce and the production of livestock products has been significant in the UK and increasingly in other countries. HSG varieties currently account for over 28% of the perennial ryegrass seed sales in the UK, with over 150,000 ha sown in the UK alone of these varieties since 2008, as their positive benefit on the economics of livestock production from grass and environmental benefit through reduced N pollution from livestock production is recognised.
Professor Marian Dawkins' research at the University of Oxford has established rigorous metrics of welfare for commercially-reared chickens and ducks, that have had a major impact on policy and practice. Her findings in relation to stocking densities for broiler chickens influenced the 2007 EU Broiler Directive; this was adopted by the UK in 2010, and has had a major impact on the industry. For ducks, research examined the provision of water, for which there were contradictory indications with respect to welfare and bacterial infections, and identified solutions for both. Since 2010 this has been incorporated into duck welfare programmes in which both Defra and industry participate.
Veterinarians have long recognised health problems associated with in-breeding and extreme conformation in various pedigree dogs. However, the `Pedigree Dogs Exposed' documentary in 2008, which particularly featured the plight of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), and resultant independent inquiry reports, to which RVC contributed, brought the extent and severity of the issue into the public eye. RVC's ongoing programme of research linked to interaction with stakeholders has contributed to the changes in breed standards instituted by the Kennel Club (KC); understanding of underlying principles governing the relationship between structure and function and affecting desired traits; developing tools to address conformation-related health problems; and driving changes in breeding practice leading to healthier dogs.
"One in 10 adults in Wales has no natural teeth" (BBC News), "Cost puts off some going to the dentist" (BBC News) and "Overall improvement masks dental health concerns", (British Dental Association, Press Release). These are examples of the sensational headlines which accompanied the publication of the findings of the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey (ADHS). Researchers at Birmingham's Dental School were key members of the research consortium that carried out both the ADHS as well as the 2003 Child Dental Health Survey (CDHS). The findings from these surveys demonstrated an overall improvement in the nation's oral health but also highlighted areas of inequality. The Government regards these surveys as being of vital importance in providing gold-standard information about the nation's oral health and uses the findings to inform oral health policy in the areas of workforce planning, the provision of, and access to, dental services. The impact of these internationally-leading studies is reflected in Government policy documents and in public debates about the future provision of dentistry.
Since 2011, an estimated 3 million UK milk consumers have benefitted each year from research conducted at the University of Reading, which has helped reduce saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in milk and milk products. The research, which was carried out between 2004 and 2013, manipulated dairy cows' diets to produce milk with reduced saturated fat and increased unsaturated fat content. Leading UK retailer, Marks and Spencer (M&S), used this research to support its suppliers in providing a new diet regime for their dairy cows, launching a new low saturated fat M&S milk in October 2011. The launch of this healthier milk product has led to (i) improved diets and reduced associated health risks (heart disease, obesity and cancer) for M&S customers (ii) reduced use of non-sustainable palm oil in cow diets (iii) reduced harmful greenhouse gas emissions (iv) increased sales for M&S and enhanced reputation in terms of quality and corporate social responsibility (v) increased payment contracts for milk producers and (vi) new techniques to measure fatty acids in milk for the dairy industry.
Although an adequate micronutrient intake and status is necessary for health and deficiency disease prevention, an excess dietary intake may have deleterious effects on health. Our impact has been to inform, stimulate and move forward our understanding of micronutrient requirements across the human lifecycle. Our activities have led to the development of WHO, EU and national nutrient intake recommendations which have had a significant impact on public health policies and initiatives which address food security.
We provided specialist expertise to the WHO Guidance Expert Advisory Group for assessing the effects of potassium and sodium intakes on human health. As a result, WHO has developed its first dietary guideline on intakes of potassium (adults and children) and sodium (children) for cardiovascular health.
Our original research in micronutrients including iron, zinc and fluoride and our systematic review approach have generated the evidence required for deriving nutritional recommendations, exemplified by our contribution to European dietary reference values (DRVs). These are used by member states to produce national health policies, guidelines and nutrient intake recommendations.