National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition

Szentiványi Mátyás

Head of the Institute: Mátyás Szentiványi MD PHD

Contact: szentivanyi.matyas@ogyei.gov.hu

Address: 1051-H, Budapest, Zrínyi Street 3.


Directorate General of Food and Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Applied Nutrition

Main profile

  • Carrying out representative population surveys on dietary habits, nutrient intake, nutrition related knowledge, nutritional status, physical activity, and their correlations. 
  • Taking part in the decision making process of food and nutrition policies and participating in the monitoring of the implemented actions. 
  • Reviewing draft legislations on nutritional and health environment.
  • Updating the National Food Composition Database.

 

Main research activity

  • Nutritional epidemiological studies

 

Educational activities

  • Elaborating educational materials promoting healthy diet for different target groups (e.g. professionals, population, media).
  • Collaborating with universities and other partner institutions, and organizing trainings and courses on nutrition.

 

Consultancy activities

  • Evaluating traditional diets and diets with special needs in various types of institutions where public catering is provided. The evaluation process includes qualitative and quantitative evaluations and provides expert opinion.
  • Providing scientific advice in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

 

Events (trainings, courses, conferences)

 

  • Nutrition in the Elderly (One-day course, free of charge) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DQKBNX8
  • Conference on School-Aged Children's Health – October 16, 2020
  • Training for food managers – October 27, 2020
  • Conference on Children’s Hospitals’ Meals – November 20, 2020


Projects

  • Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey (OTÁP)
  • National nutritional environment surveys in schools and in pre-schools
  • Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)
  • TÁMOP-6.1.2.B -14/1-2015-0001 Healthy Ingredients-Healthy Eating pilot project for the quality development of public catering and to increase consumer awareness throughout the supply chain priority project
  • EFOP-1.8.10-VEKOP-17-2017-00001
  • Complex health protection and attitude development in the field of nutrition and drug use - "SYNTHESIS"

 

Publications

  • Nutritional status of the Hungarian population OTÁP2009
  • Energy and macronutrient intake of the Hungarian population, OTÁP2009
  • Vitamin intake of the Hungarian population, OTÁP2009
  • Microelement intake of the Hungarian population, OTÁP2009
  • Macroelement intake of the Hungarian population, OTÁP2009
  • National Nutritional Environment Survey in Pre-schools, 2009
  • National Nutritional Environment Survey in Pre-schools, 2013
  • National Nutritional Environment Survey in Primary Schools, 2008
  • National Nutritional Environment Survey in Primary Schools, 2013
  • National Nutritional Environment Survey in Primary Schools, 2017

 

Members

 

The most important news, events and results of the last two years

  • Diversity of Nutrition Science – December 5, 2019

The conference was jointly organized by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition and Budapest Business School. Main events and changes in the last decades in nutrition science and the current state of the field were presented in the conference.

  • Training for food managers – November 11-12, 2019

The training provides assistance to food managers and dietitians in the implementation of the Public Catering Act - EMMI Decree 37/2014. (IV.30).

  • Conference on Childhood Obesity - October 22, 2019
  • Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey - OTÁP2019

Between 16 September 2019 and 16 February 2020, another representative study was carried out by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition. Dietary habits, physical activity and nutritional status were assessed in the Hungarian adult population.
The 3rd OTÁP survey was carried out with the support of the Ministry of Human Resources and with the assistance of the Central Statistical Office. The valuable data obtained from the study will form the basis for future public health policies.

  • COSI2019

In order to promote the healthy development of children, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the WHO European Region - Child Nutrition Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in 2007. More than 40 countries are currently participating in the survey. The aim of the study of children aged 6-9 years is to collect data on the nutritional status of children and its changes over time using uniform methods in all participating countries. COSI enables international comparisons, the development of targeted interventions, health promotion programs, and the monitoring of the effectiveness of interventions.
Hungary joined the survey in 2010, and then participated in the international survey again in 2016. Comparing the data of 2010 and 2016, it seems that as a result of the professional policy measures introduced in Hungary, the incidence of overweight and obesity has stabilized and affects about one in five 7-year-olds.
After the previous years, Hungary will participate in the study again in 2019. The survey is conducted by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition. COSI takes place as part of the annual school health screenings, with the participation of the nurses providing care for the given schools and the Association of Hungarian Nurses (MAVE). The study, scheduled for October 2019, will involve 180 primary schools from across the country selected according to WHO standards. During the survey, nurses measure the weight and height of 1st and 2nd grade children, and a questionnaire survey of the school and home eating environment is also conducted.