Nutrition and physical activity at the center of a joint chair UCL-Delhaize Group
5/27/2011
NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE CENTER OF A JOINT CHAIR
UCL-DELHAIZE GROUP
BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 27, 2011 - The Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) and Delhaize Group inaugurate a Chair dedicated to the effects of healthy eating habits and physical activity on the prevention of certain diseases. The objective of this collaboration is to answer questions related to obesity through an interdisciplinary approach. The idea is to implement prevention strategies that combine the benefits of a healthy diet, rich in polyphenols1, and regular physical activity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bad eating habits, in quantity and in quality, as well as a lack of physical activity are among the main causes for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and some cancers. In Europe, obesity is responsible for 10 percent to 13 percent of all deaths. The WHO also warns that obesity has tripled in Europe since the ’80s (mainly among children and teenagers). The current economic crisis is only expected to magnify these problems, as many consumers will tend to choose products of poor nutritional quality and rich in calories.
UCL researchers see this Chair as an opportunity to deepen their research related to nutrition and physical activity.
Their objectives are to:
· Get a better understanding of food habits, based on socioeconomic origins, through a sociological study aimed at quantifying and qualifying the health influence of polyphenols and regular physical activity
· Study (using cellular models) the impact of polyphenols on fat digestion, intestinal absorption and inflammation of adipose tissue
· Highlight the biological mechanisms that make healthy food and physical activity beneficial for health, to serve as the basis for obesity-related educational and social programs and tools to be recommended to public authorities
For Delhaize Group, the collaboration with the UCL is perfectly in line with its corporate responsibility commitment – one of three pillars of its corporate strategy. Delhaize Group puts a great deal of importance and attention toward improving the health and well-being of its customers and associates.
Delhaize Group plans to inform its customers and associates about the results of the research relating to nutritional practices and healthy lifestyle to further promote a balanced diet and active lifestyles.
»Delhaize Group
Delhaize Group is a Belgian international food retailer present in six countries on three continents. At the end of the first quarter of 2011, Delhaize Group’s sales network consisted of 2 816 stores. In 2010, Delhaize Group posted EUR 20.8 billion (USD 27.6 billion) in revenues and EUR 574 million (USD 762 million) in net profit (Group share). At the end of 2010, Delhaize Group employed approximately 138 600 people. Delhaize Group’s stock is listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels (DELB) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEG).
1Polyphenol: a compound of vegetal origin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (e.g. fruits & vegetables)
» Contacts
Delhaize Group:
Catherine Alexandre, Vice President Internal & Corporate Responsibility Communications
UCL:
-Yves-Jacques Schneider, Professor at the Institut des Sciences de la Vie - responsible for the nutrition part of the Chair: +32 10 47 27 91 or +32 475 46 76 58
-Marc Francaux, Professor at the Faculté des Sciences de la Motricité - responsible for the physical activity part of the Chair: +32 10 47 44 57 ou +32 474 39 80 31
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements that are included or incorporated by reference in this press release and other written and oral statements made from time to time by Delhaize Group and its representatives, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events and developments that Delhaize Group expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the acquisition of Delta Maxi Group, the expected closing time of the acquisition, the effect of such acquisition on the credit rating of Delhaize Group, the synergies from the acquisition, the future revenue and EBITDA of Delta Maxi Group, strategic options, future strategies and the anticipated benefits of these strategies, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified as statements that include phrases such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “projected,” “believe,” “target,” “predict,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “may,” “goal,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other similar words or phrases. Although such statements are based on current information, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those projected depending upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, failure to obtain approval of antitrust authorities, failure of mutually agreed closing conditions to be satisfied, failure to obtain synergies on the timeline predicted or at all, covenant restrictions under credit facilities that might be in place at the time of the acquisition of Delta Maxi Group, changes in the general economy or the markets of Delhaize Group, in consumer spending, in inflation or currency exchange rates or in legislation or regulation; competitive factors; adverse determination with respect to claims; inability to timely develop, remodel, integrate or convert stores; and supply or quality control problems with vendors. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements are described in Delhaize Group’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings made by Delhaize Group with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. Delhaize Group disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.
2011-05-27 PR Chaire Delhaize-EN_Lisa.pdf (63.77 KB)