Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Fats and Fatty Acids in Human Nutrition (10 - 14 November 2008, WHO, Geneva)
Interim Summary of Conclusions and Dietary Recommendations on Total Fat & Fatty Acids
Knowledge of the role of fatty acids in determining health and nutritional well-being has expanded dramatically in the past 15 years. To review the major developments in the field of fats and fatty acids in human nutrition, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting of experts in November 2008, the preparation for which had commenced over a year earlier. The experts considered the role of these essential nutrients, particularly the long chain fatty acids, in neonatal and infant growth and development, as well as maintenance of health and prevention of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and age-related functional decline. This technical note provides the main conclusions and recommendations of the experts. The background papers have been published in a special issue of the Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism [55(1-3) 1-308 (2009)]. The final report of the expert consultation will be published in the coming months.