Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging
Project Number: 8050-10700-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Mar 12, 2024
End Date: Mar 11, 2029
Objective:
Objective 1: Identify genomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, microbiome, physiological, bio-behavioral, lifestyle, environmental and social determinants of healthspan and aging and evaluate their individual or interactive influence. (NP107 3A, 3C, 4A, 5A)
Subobjective 1.A: To conduct acute meal challenges and short-term dietary interventions aimed to develop individual predictors of variability in response to dietary factors in relation to healthy aging.
Subobjective 1.B: To elucidate metabolite signatures of cardiovascular risk factors with the use of ML techniques, to evaluate whether these signatures are associated with the onset of frailty, and to identify dietary risk factors of these signatures.
Subobjective 1.C: To examine the complex interplay between biological (epigenetic), social, cultural, and environmental factors and the underlying mechanisms among health disparity populations and across the lifespan that may contribute to health disparities.
Objective 2: Evaluate determinants of healthy, sustainable, and equitable access to food to improve the nutritional status of population subgroups. (NP107 3C, 5A)
Subobjective 2.A: To evaluate and model food intake patterns that meet the nutritional needs of older adult population groups in the context of food acceptability.
Subobjective 2.B: To determine food acceptability and security in older adults and their relation to risks for chronic diseases and poor physical function.
Subobjective 2.C: To evaluate the effectiveness of a culinary intervention to changes in dietary quality and cardiometabolic markers among congregate meal recipients.
Objective 3: Develop models and algorithms to advance nutrition and lifestyle strategies for population subgroups. (NP107 3C)
Subobjective 3A: Develop iterative models and algorithms that utilize dietary and lifestyle interventions to improve systemic health based on individual responses to healthy dietary patterns.
Subobjective 3.B: To extend precision nutrition models (from Subobjective 3A) to populations of diverse backgrounds to support cardiometabolic health.
Approach:
Our approach is firmly rooted in the understanding that nutrition is a cornerstone of health and a preventive measure against chronic diseases. This knowledge shapes our public health policies and the dietary recommendations provided to Americans at various stages of their lives. However, these general guidelines are not always adequate for specific subgroups within our diverse population, who require more personalized guidance on their nutritional choices to optimize their health.
To bridge this gap, we introduce Precision Nutrition, an innovative paradigm that offers more refined and dynamic nutritional recommendations tailored to individual needs. This initiative is poised to harness the wealth of data generated by recent technological advancements, such as multi-omics and personal health wearables. The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is at the forefront of this field, continuing to expand upon its groundbreaking research. By integrating these rich datasets with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, machine learning, and complex system modeling, we aim to gain a profound understanding of the intricate interactions between diet, genetic predisposition, and a spectrum of environmental, social, and behavioral factors.
We are cognizant of the challenges that Precision Nutrition may pose, notably the risk of increasing health disparities by benefiting only certain segments of the population, especially among those who are older or economically disadvantaged. To mitigate these concerns, our approach is comprehensive and multifaceted. It includes metabolic research tailored to individuals, observational studies on food insecurity, and practical community engagement through culinary programs at local meal sites. This strategy is designed to be inclusive and to ensure the broad dissemination of evidence-based dietary information to all segments of society.
This research strategy is in harmony with the broader goals of the HNRCA, with numerous projects fostering collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts within our teams. These collaborations are indispensable, bringing together diverse expertise to tackle the complexities of aging and nutrition. Ultimately, our approach aims to translate scientific insights into actionable, equitable nutrition guidelines that can be adopted by all, thus promoting better health outcomes across the lifespan.
