(P10-005-23) Precision Nutrition for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) Needs Assessment: Is It a Relevant Approach To Tackle Nutrition Challenges in LMIC?

Objectives: The study objectives were to determine the nutritional challenges in different LMIC communities; current methods implemented within the regions to address the challenges; need and relevance of precision nutrition for LMIC; and whether participant collaboration with the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley and other entities was supported to advance precision nutrition for LMIC.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted with 13 nutrition experts and practitioners who live or work in LMIC. Participants were chosen based on experience in the nutrition field in LMIC contexts and expertise in precision nutrition as determined through PubMed and the authors’ network. A 24-question survey was provided as a questionnaire that was virtually discussed in a 45-60-minute interview. The survey was designed to address four categories: Nutritional Problems, Current Solutions, Precision Nutrition Relevance and Collaboration. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Descript was used to analyze the transcript and Microsoft Excel and Adobe were used to analyze and visualize the data.

Results: The needs assessment further emphasized that several food and nutritional challenges exist within LMIC populations. The double burden of malnutrition was mentioned most frequently by participants (58%). Current efforts to tackle these challenges within different regions were viewed as lacking; thus, progress in addressing the challenges has been slow. Precision nutrition with a focus on target groups rather than individuals, termed precision public health nutrition, was considered relevant for LMIC by all participants. The majority of participants (38%) chose children as the top target population for precision nutrition interventions. However, barriers such as funding, affordability, resources, precision nutrition knowledge, trained workforce, and suitable tools and technology must be addressed for successful implementation. All participants were open to further collaboration, and some (23%) viewed collaboration as essential to implement precision nutrition for LMIC.

Conclusions: Precision public health nutrition may be uniquely suited to support nutrition and health in LMIC, as long as ethics are considered, barriers are addressed, and collaboration among sectors is strengthened.

Funding Sources: No funding was received to conduct this study.