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Empowering Nutrition Science in Lebanon: Highlights from the Lebanese Order of Dietitians

ABOUT LOD

Established under Law No. 284 in April 2022, the Lebanese Order of Dietitians (LOD) is the sole regulatory body for the dietetics profession in Lebanon. Its mission is to uphold professional standards, promote evidence-based practice, and lead national efforts to advance nutrition science and dietetic care.As of 2026, LOD has 1,174 registered dietitians, up from 871 in 2025 and 178 in 2022, reflecting the rapid formalization and growth of the regulated dietetics workforce in Lebanon.

NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DIETARY GUIDELINES: A MENA-REGION FIRST

Lebanon officially launched its Sustainable Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SFBDGs) at the Ministry of Public Health in 2026 – the first guidelines of their kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. LOD led the scientific development of the guidelines, grounded in research from the American University of Beirut. The guidelines are built on four pillars: public health and wellbeing, economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and cultural acceptability.

LOD developed the guidelines in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aligning Lebanon’s approach with global best practice and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The SFBDGs now serve as a national roadmap for policymakers, institutions, and consumers, positioning Lebanon as an early regional reference point for sustainability-integrated dietary guidance.

STRENGTHENING SCIENTIFIC & CLINICAL PRACTICE

LOD continues to strengthen dietitians’ scientific and clinical capacity through continuing education. Building on a 2024 needs assessment of 261 licensed dietitians, LOD established a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) framework granting pre-approved credits to qualifying providers. Over the past year, LOD reviewed, approved, and granted Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs) to 25 educational activities using standardized criteria. LOD also expanded its scientific and professional programming through several activities: 

❖ First Annual Scientific Meeting – “From Undernutrition to Obesity and Diabetes Management,” accompanied by a hands-on Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) skills-based workshop for practicing dietitians.

❖ Obesity & Weight Management Meeting – Semaglutide 2.4mg and nutrition care for patients on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy.

❖ National Dialogue on Obesity – LOD represented the profession in a multidisciplinary forum with the Lebanese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Lipids.

❖ Beyond the Clinic – a university workshop on ethical, professional, and technological perspectives in dietetics practice.

LOD POSITION STATEMENT: 2025-2030 U.S. DIETARY GUIDELINES

LOD issued a position statement on the newly released 2025–2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, affirming their emphasis on whole and minimally processed foods, dietary diversity, and limiting added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and ultra-processed foods -consistent with positions held by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society. The statement also identified critical gaps: limited integration of environmental sustainability despite established diet-climate links; inconsistencies between the recommendations and their visual communication (e.g., saturated fat guidance versus imagery favoring full-fat dairy and red meat, and underrepresentation of fiber-rich foods like legumes and whole grains); and the need for guidance that reflects age, health status, culture, and socioeconomic context rather than a one-size-fits-all model. LOD reaffirmed its call for locally adapted dietary guidelines and personalized nutrition counseling by licensed dietitians.

MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION POLICY

LOD contributed to the Ministry of Public Health and UNFPA launch of the national Dietary Guide for Women in the Perinatal Period, a practical, evidence-based tool for healthcare professionals covering preconception, pregnancy, lactation, and postpartum nutrition.

LOD’s leadership also represented the Order at the national launch of the World Breastfeeding Week Campaign and the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Capacity Building Program, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO, and World Bank.

ADVANCING REGULATORY STANDARDS

In 2026, the LOD’s internal bylaws received formal approval from Lebanon’s Shura Council and the Ministry of Public Health, and the latter approved LOD’s conditions for establishing nutrition clinics and private practice – completing regulatory milestones first initiated last year.LOD continues to follow up on the implementation of a unified practical training program across hospitals nationwide and worked with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to correct the scope of practice for non-dietitian graduates, revoking their eligibility to provide nutrition advice and reinforcing patient safety and professional standards in the field.

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IAEA NAHRES Newsletter No. 24 – August 2026

The Nutritional & Health-related Environmental Studies Section is excited to share its eNewsletter. 

In this issue:

  • Launch of the new IAEA Body Composition Online Calculator, designed to simplify the analysis of body composition data
  • New online training opportunity on the use of stable isotope methods to assess human milk intake
  • Expansion of activities offered through the ‘Nuclear Techniques in Nutrition User Group’, an IAEA-supported global Community of Practice
  • Launch of a new research project on protein quality from alternative dietary protein sources and amino acid requirements
  • Findings from an IAEA survey of radiation oncologists showing that, while nutrition is widely recognized as an essential component of cancer care, access to nutrition services remains limited
  • Release of the seventh episode of the Nuclear in Nutrition Interview Series, highlighting efforts to address childhood obesity in the Caribbean
  • Recorded webinar on the joint FAO-IAEA Database on Protein Quality, exploring the science behind the database, its development and its potential to strengthen nutrition research 
  • Success story on how a new laboratory is strengthening efforts to address childhood stunting in the Philippines
  • Call for data on total energy expenditure and body composition for inclusion in the IAEA DLW and BC databases, helping to build the evidence base for advancing nutrition science
  • Interview with UN-Nutrition Chair and IAEA Deputy Director General Dr Najat Mokhtar following the renewal of her mandate as Chair of UN-Nutrition

Read the Full Newsletter

IUNS-ICN 2025 Abstratcs Now Published!

The abstracts presented at IUNS-ICN 2025, held in Paris in August 2025, are now available as a special collection published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.

The collection brings together the scientific contributions presented at the Congress and provides a lasting resource for the nutrition science community.

Explore the ICN 2025 Abstracts Collection

The 9th Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme Successfully Held in Ürümqi

The Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme (CNLP), a collaborative initiative between the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), was established with the aim of empowering young scholars in the field of nutrition in China, to expand their thinking beyond professional boundaries and develop into confident, globally-minded leaders. Since its inception in 2008, this flagship programme has been conducted eight times, successfully cultivating over 300 leaders in the nutritional profession and establishing itself as a key initiative for nurturing young leadership within the nutrition society.

The 9th Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme (CNLP) took place in the city of Ürümqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 2–7, 2026. This programme was jointly organized by the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS), the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), and the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). After selection process involving nominations, initial screening, and competitive evaluation, 46 participants representing a diverse background from Universities, Research institutions, medical facilities, Provincial CDCs were chosen from over 100 applicants to join this programme.

Programme Key Themes

  • International Perspective and Innovative Thinking: To broaden participants’ global outlook and cultivate innovative approaches to challenges in the nutrition field.
  • Professional Integration and Capacity Building: To strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance professional competence across diverse domains.
  • Vision Enhancement and Comprehensive Literacy: To broaden participants’ horizons and refine their overall professional and cultural literacy.
  • Leadership and Implementation Capability: To elevate participants’ leadership skills, ensure the effective execution of ideas, and improve their ability to communicate with clarity and impact.

Picture 1. The group photo of the opening ceremony of 9th CNLP

Programme Overview

At the opening ceremony held on August 2, Professor Yuexin Yang, President of the Chinese Nutrition Society;President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies, officially announced the beginning of the programme. She emphasized that the goal of CNLP is not “professional” learning by itself, but rather expanding one’s thinking and identifying personal growth areas. She noted that leadership training is not about learning administrative authority, but about self-improvement and self-management encompassing execution, cooperation, guidance, and influence—all rooted in the power of thought. Professor Yang encouraged participants to cherish the opportunity, engage in earnest study, foster teamwork within their groups, build friendships, and enlighten one another through the learning process.

Picture 2. Professor Yuexin Yang，President of Chinese Nutrition Society,President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Society , delivers an opening speech

Following the opening, participants engaged in leadership self-assessment, ice-breaking activities, group division, and task assignments. The 46 participants were organized into four groups – Event Operations, Media&News, Culture&Sports, and Team Development – each with distinct responsibilities, and were actively involved in planning and implementing activities throughout the programme.

Picture 3. Candidates for class monitor and group leaders.

Over the subsequent five days, the programme was delivered through a diverse mix of lectures, panel discussions, forums, site visits, and interactive workshops, structured around four core modules: international perspective and innovative thinking; professional integration and capacity building; vision enhancement and comprehensive literacy; and leadership and implementation skills. Each module combined theoretical grounding with hands-on practice, covering cutting edge topics in nutrition science, research methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural awareness, and team management. Faculty members from multiple countries and disciplines, including China, the United States, and Italyetc., contributed to the sessions, enriching participants’ global outlook and practical skills.

Complementing the formal sessions, each group designed and facilitated interactive activities that put leadership principles into practice, including self-awareness exercises, professional branding, persuasive communication, and conflict resolution through a structured debate on dietary patterns and a scenario-based negotiation simulation. An evening peer-exchange session further allowed participants to explore practical challenges in leadership and communication.

Picture 4. The Culture & Sports Group leads participants in break-time activities.

Picture 5. Team Development Group leads Scenario-based simulation exercise

On August 7, the programme held its final summary and learning achievement sharing session. Representatives from each group delivered presentations in English, reflecting on their gains in terms of broadened industry vision, enhanced professional skills, elevated leadership qualities, and strengthened team collaboration. Some participants also shared their personal reflections：

“This experience has made me realize that true breakthroughs come from organized collaborative research, systematic data sharing, and the heartfelt exchange of experience.”

“Not a nutrition major, but I came purely for my love of clinical nutrition. My heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Nutrition Society for building this precious platform for young clinicians and scholars—and for this extraordinary opportunity to grow and connect.”

A panel of experts provided on-site comments and feedback. They commended the participants’ rapid progress and deep thinking, and encouraged them to continue consolidating their professional foundations, to develop their own distinctive “nutrition labels,” and to actively contribute to the national Healthy China initiative.

The ceremony included a video review produced by the Media&News group, followed by the presentation of training certificates.

Conclusion

The 9th CNLP has successfully achieved its goal of equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the field of nutrition. The participants expressed that the five-day training had not only improved their professional literacy but also enhanced their teamwork and leadership abilities. They unanimously agreed that this training was not an end point but a new starting point for their professional growth, and they pledged to apply what they had learned and continue to contribute to the development of the nutrition field. Additionally, the participants have formed deep friendships and established extensive cooperation networks. It is believed that in the future, these participants will become leading figures in the field of nutrition, collectively advancing the prosperity and development of the nutrition industry and guiding it towards new heights.

New Publication: Advancing a Voluntary Code for the Mediterranean Diet

IUNS congratulates the Joint Mediterranean Diet Task Force on the publication of A voluntary code of conduct for promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet: rationale and propositions, now published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.

The publication represents an important milestone in the Task Force’s work to address declining adherence to the Mediterranean diet and promote its health, cultural and sustainability benefits. Established jointly by IUNS, FENS and CIHEAM, the Task Force is developing a common framework to measure adherence and a voluntary code of conduct to support sustainable Mediterranean diets across food systems and sectors.

Read the full paper

Micronutrient Forum Webinar: Making Food Fortification Work

The Micronutrient Forum and the Millers for Nutrition (M4N) Coalition will host a webinar on 13 August 2026 exploring practical approaches to strengthening food fortification programmes and expanding access to fortified foods.

Drawing on experiences from Nigeria, Kenya and India, the webinar will share lessons from the M4N Coalition, which has engaged more than 500 millers across Africa and Asia to improve fortification compliance, expand access to fortified foods and strengthen incentives for private-sector participation.

The session will also explore approaches including fortification quality indices and expanding fortified rice into voluntary markets and through private-sector engagement.

Date: 13 August 2026
Time: 3:00 PM CEST

REGISTER NOW

World Food Prize Foundation: 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue

The World Food Prize Foundation will host the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue (Borlaug Dialogue) from 20–22 October 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Held annually, the Borlaug Dialogue brings together leaders and experts from around the world to discuss critical issues affecting global food security and explore solutions for a more food-secure future.

The 2026 Dialogue will take place under the theme “Before Hunger Wins”, marking the 40th anniversary of the World Food Prize. The programme will feature discussions on food security, agriculture, innovation and related global challenges.

For further information, including the programme, speakers and registration details, please visit the World Food Prize Foundation website.

Learn more and register

9th Bangladesh Nutrition Conference 2026

The 9th Bangladesh Nutrition Conference will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 21–23 November 2026. The conference is jointly organised by the Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF), the Nutrition Society of Bangladesh (NSB) and the Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB).

The conference aims to strengthen nutrition programmes in Bangladesh by showcasing recent advances in nutrition science and promoting innovation, evidence-based interventions, and emerging developments in clinical, molecular, biochemical and public health nutrition. It will also provide a valuable platform for scientific exchange, collaboration and networking among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students and young professionals.

The organisers warmly invite scientists, policymakers, development partners, students and early career researchers to participate in this important event and contribute to advancing nutrition science and improving nutrition outcomes in Bangladesh.

For further information, please contact the conference organisers directly at BangladeshNutritionConference@nsb.org.bd.

9th Bangladesh Nutrition ConferenceDownload

Nutrition Congress 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa

Hosted by the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) and the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA), the 2026 Nutrition Congress will take place from 7 – 9 October 2026 at the Wanderers Club, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Registration and Abstract Submission are now open for the 2026 Nutrition Congress. Abstract submission will be closing on 17 March 2026.

Congress Theme: Qhamuka: a call to serve, lead, and innovate in nutrition

Congress Website: www.nutritioncongress.co.za

Save the date and check out the Congress website for more updates.

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – Task Forces in Focus

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

Task Forces in Focus: How IUNS Tackles Emerging Nutrition Challenges 

One of the distinctive ways the IUNS advances nutrition science is through its Task Forces. Bringing together experts from different countries and disciplines, these groups provide a platform for international collaboration on emerging or under-addressed nutrition challenges. By connecting researchers, clinicians, educators and practitioners, Task Forces help translate scientific knowledge into practical action while strengthening global research networks. 

Over the past eight decades, IUNS Task Forces have addressed a wide range of topics reflecting the changing priorities of nutrition science. Some have focused on disease prevention and treatment, others on sustainable food systems, Indigenous knowledge, nutrition capacity development or new scientific methodologies. While it is not possible to highlight every Task Force in this story, the examples below illustrate the breadth of approaches through which IUNS supports global nutrition research and collaboration.  

Some of the Task Forces highlighted below have now completed their formal IUNS mandate. Several continue their work independently, reflecting how IUNS‑initiated collaborations often evolve into long‑standing scientific networks. 

Building international research networks 

Some Task Forces create global scientific communities around emerging areas of nutrition research. 

The International Collaboration on Nutrition in relation to Cancer (ICONIC) Task Force is one such example. ICONIC brings together researchers, clinicians, dietitians and public health professionals working at the intersection of nutrition and cancer. Building on earlier international collaborations, ICONIC aims to strengthen research, education and professional networks across countries. 

Its activities have included supporting nutrition education and research capacity in Africa and other resource-limited settings, encouraging collaboration between oncology and nutrition professionals, and promoting the integration of nutrition throughout the cancer care pathway from prevention and treatment to survivorship. Through workshops, collaborative projects and international partnerships, ICONIC demonstrates how coordinated scientific networks can accelerate progress in an increasingly important area of health.  

Originally established as an IUNS Task Force, ICONIC continues its collaborative work independently. 

Connecting science with culture and traditional knowledge

Nutrition science is strengthened not only by laboratory research, but also by understanding how people eat within their cultural and environmental contexts. 

The Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition Task Force has worked to document and promote the nutritional value of traditional food systems around the world. Its work highlights the importance of biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge and locally adapted food practices in supporting healthy and sustainable diets. 

The Task Force has produced a series of publications documenting diverse Indigenous food systems across different regions, organised international symposia and webinars, and developed policy briefs that encourage governments and international organisations to recognise Indigenous food systems within nutrition and food policies. In doing so, it demonstrates how scientific research and traditional knowledge can complement one another in addressing contemporary nutrition challenges. 

Although no longer an active IUNS Task Force, the Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems group has continued publishing and convening internationally. 

Developing new approaches for emerging challenges 

As nutrition science evolves, so too do the questions researchers seek to answer. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force explores how dietary recommendations can support both human and planetary health. Its work recognises that healthy diets should also consider environmental sustainability, cultural acceptability and local food systems. By developing indicators and methodological approaches, the Task Force contributes to a growing evidence base for integrating sustainability into nutrition research and policy. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force completed its formal IUNS term but its methodological work remains influential.

Innovation also extends to how nutrition outcomes are measured. The Towards a Multidimensional Index of Child Growth Task Force is developing broader ways to understand children’s growth and development. Rather than relying solely on traditional anthropometric indicators, the initiative explores additional dimensions of child well-being, participation and equity. This work reflects the evolving understanding that child growth is influenced by multiple biological, social and environmental factors.  

The Multidimensional Index of Child Growth initiative began as an IUNS Task Force and continues to develop its framework beyond the formal Task Force period. 

A collaborative model for advancing nutrition science 

Although each Task Force has its own objectives, they share a common purpose: bringing together expertise from different countries and disciplines to address complex nutrition challenges that no single institution or nation can solve alone. 

Some Task Forces generate new scientific evidence. Others strengthen research capacity, develop methodologies, facilitate international partnerships or help translate knowledge into practice. Together, they demonstratehow IUNS serves as a global convener of nutrition science. 

The examples highlighted here represent only a small selection of the many Task Forces that have contributed to the work of IUNS over the years. They include both current Task Forces and former groups whose collaborations have continued beyond their formal IUNS mandate. This ongoing activity reflects the Union’s role in catalysing scientific networks that often persist long after IUNS funding ends. Collectively, current and former Task Forces demonstrate IUNS’s enduring commitment to international scientific collaboration and its ability to respond to emerging nutrition priorities as they evolve. 

As global nutrition challenges become increasingly interconnected, this collaborative model remains as important today as it was when IUNS was established nearly 80 years ago. 

To learn more about current and past IUNS Task Forces, visit the IUNS website.