The IAFNS Cognitive Health Committee convened a roundtable discussion of stakeholders to better understand how to communicate the state-of-the-science on nutrition and brain health. Participants included representatives from the American Society for Nutrition, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, AARP, the National MS Society, and others.
In a published summary of the exchange, six best practices are offered to ensure consistent, evidence-based communication – qualities that are vital in the digital age where misinformation is problematic. Nutrition is one modifiable risk factor for brain health; as such, the relationship and potential causal pathways between nutrition and brain health are the focus for many organizations active in this area. In the summary, communication strategies implemented by the various organizations are described, with a focus on: target audience, key message, process, communication channel, and considerations for message tailoring.
One challenge is that the science in this area is sometimes contradictory and nuanced. For example, some studies highlight the benefits of dietary patterns for cognitive health, whereas others report limited evidence that these dietary patterns are impactful, and results may be inconclusive. Data on micronutrient impacts can be similarly difficult to translate for consumers and patients. The type of nonprofit organization, their mission, and how they operate in large part dictate the resources available and specific communication strategies, the authors found.
Join IAFNS’ Cognitive Health Committee today to advance science about diet and brain health and how it’s communicated.