The European federation of the associations of dietiTians Congress 2025

Prof Clare Corish presenting Innovative Plant Protein Fibre and Physical Activity Solutions to Address Poor Appetite in Older Adults

Clare presenting Is Plant Protein and Fibre Supplementation Acceptable and Feasible in Older Adults? Findings from the APPETITE Multi-centre trial

Prof Clare Corish pictured at the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) Congress in October 2025.  The poster summarising the APPETITE project shows how it can contribute timely scientific evidence on how plant-based proteins, increased dietary fibre and physical activity may help prevent undernutrition in the ageing demographic within Europe.

The Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life HRB-funded APPETITE project held a scientific symposium at the IUNS-ICN conference in Paris in August 2025. Prof Dorothee Volkert from FAU and Prof Clare Corish, Dr Katy Horner and Prof Helen Roche from UCD presented.

Pictured (l-r): Dr Katy Horner, Prof Dorothee Volkert, Prof Clare Corish, Dr Dominique Dardevet, Prof Helen Roche at the APPETITE Symposium, IUNS-ICN, Paris in July 2025.

Prof Corish presented several posters on the APPETITE project at the EFAD congress, October 2025.  Held in Malmö, Sweden, the conference brought together dietitians, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across Europe, creating a vibrant forum for sharing new evidence, exchanging professional insights and fostering collaboration to advance the practice of dietetics.

These posters covered methodological developments, early findings and practical implementation insights, underscoring the high-quality research APPETITE is generating on the value of nutrition and physical activity in healthy ageing.  Together, they demonstrate the project’s substantial contribution to building an evidence base that can inform public policy and dietetic practice for older adults.

Clare presenting UCD PhD student, Aoife Courtney’s scoping review: Published Methods of Subjective Appetite Assessment in Older Adults Living in the Community and Their Validity and Reliability

At the EFAD Congress, the APPETITE trial was presented as a plenary presentation within a programme centred on innovation and sustainability in dietetic practice.  Prof Clare Corish highlighted how the trial’s multi-centre design provides robust evidence on combining plant protein, fibre and physical activity to support appetite and nutritional status in older adults.  This contribution aligns closely with EFAD’s priorities around healthy ageing, food-first strategies and strengthening the evidence base for dietitians across Europe.

Pictured (L-R): Vasiliki Karagianni (Nutrition & Lifestyle Project manager - Blodtrycksdoktorn AB - Sweden), Elin Lövestam (Professor in food studies, nutrition and dietetics - Uppsala University - Sweden) and Clare Corish.

European Geriatric Medicine Society Congress 2025

Anna Quinn and Dr Katy Horner attended the 21st EuGMS Congress in Reykjavik in September. Anna presented a poster based on findings from the APPETITE multi-centre trial led by UCD titled: “Is Plant Protein and Fibre supplementation acceptable and feasible in older adults?”  Dr Katy Horner gave an invited presentation in the ESPEN joint symposium, presenting the main findings from the APPETITE trial on “The Effect of Plant protein and fibre supplementation with or without physical activity on appetite and nutritional status in older adults”.  She also presented and chaired a debate at the Abbott-sponsored symposium with leading experts in the field of malnutrition and sarcopenia, Prof Cruz-Jentoft and Prof Landi, on “Malnutrition and sarcopenia: clinical implications in ageing populations.”

Pictured (l-r): Dr Katy Horner and School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science PhD student, Anna Quinn, at the 21st EuGMS Congress in Reykjavik, Iceland, in September 2025.

Katy Horner presented the APPETITE randomised controlled trial at EuGMS, outlining how reduced appetite, low protein intake and muscle loss in ageing drive frailty and loss of independence.  She summarised the rationale for the RCT, its design and key outcomes, showing how APPETITE integrates plant-based protein, fibre and tailored physical activity to address early undernutrition.  Katy also highlighted the practical, scalable implications of interventions such as those included in the APPETITE RCT.

APPETITE Symposium IUNS-ICN, Paris, France

Members of the APPETITE team discussing key findings from the project at the International Congress of Nutrition 2025.