Open-access food composition database reshapes nutrition education and research in Nepal

The NERC project builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the Health Sciences Unit at Tampere University and the Central Department of Public Health at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. What began as a teacher exchange programme has since expanded to include student exchange, collaborative research projects and doctoral supervision. The NERC project also involved the Central Department of Home Science at Tribhuvan University. 

According to the project coordinator, University Lecturer Tarja Kinnunen of Tampere University, the NERC project set out to build research capabilities and strengthen nutrition education. 

“The database and dietary intake calculation tool will enable increasingly reliable nutrition research,” says Kinnunen. 

Local data improves the accuracy of dietary assessment 

The database developed during the NERC project contains nutritional information on 1,032 foods and 41 nutrients. The existing Nepalese food composition database focused mainly on uncooked ingredients and covered only 14 nutrients, whereas the international databases used in Nepal did not accurately reflect local foods and dietary practices. 

The new database includes foods in the form in which they are typically consumed. This is important because cooking can significantly affect both the weight and nutrient content of foods. The database was developed using Nepalese recipes, international guidelines, existing food composition databases and research literature. 

Researchers from Nepal played a key role in the project. The Excel-based dietary intake calculation tool linked to the database was developed by a Nepalese expert living in Finland.  This tool calculates estimated energy and nutrient intakes based on food consumption data. 

“An understanding of the local food culture was critical. The database could not have been developed without in-depth knowledge of Nepalese foods, ingredients and recipes,” says Kinnunen. 

Broader impact through open access  

The database and calculation tool are intended primarily for researchers, teachers, students and dietitians. They can be applied in clinical practice and population-based research, for example, to compare nutrient intakes with dietary recommendations, investigate associations between diet and health, and monitor changes in food consumption and nutrient intake. The resources can also support the delivery of patient care, the planning of public health programmes and informed decision-making. 

“When resources are made openly available, they have the potential to be used much more widely and generate greater impact. The development of a database is demanding work and should not have to be repeated for every research project or in every organisation,” says Kinnunen. 

Open access also requires clearly defined responsibilities. Tampere University and Tribhuvan University have agreed on the management, maintenance, updating, distribution and terms of use of both the database and the calculation tool. 

New tools integrated into nutrition education 

The openly available resources resulting from the NERC project were developed in close collaboration with teaching staff from the participating units at Tampere University and Tribhuvan University. In addition to the database and calculation tool, the project produced lecture materials, reading lists, group assignments and individual learning activities. These materials address topics such as dietary assessment, food security and sustainable food systems. 

For example, students can use the resources to practise conducting 24-hour dietary recall interviews and keeping food diaries. The data they collect can then be entered into the calculation tool, allowing students to work through the entire process from data collection to dietary intake assessment. They can also learn more about food security and sustainable food systems through lectures, group assignments and oral presentations. 

“The materials can be used as is or adapted to a range of teaching contexts. What is important is that students are not merely introduced to the methods but offered the opportunity to go out and collect, process and interpret data themselves,” says Kinnunen. 

The materials developed during the project are also being incorporated into revised curricula at the participating units at Tribhuvan University. As the same curricula are used by several other higher education institutions affiliated with Tribhuvan University, the changes are expected to have a wider impact on nutrition education across Nepal. 

Training strengthens pedagogical expertise 

The NERC project provided professional development opportunities for nutrition educators and dietitians. Training was delivered in April 2025 for teaching staff from the two participating units and in May 2026 for teaching staff from universities across Nepal and members of the Nepal Dietitian Association.   

During the training sessions, the participants practised using the new database and calculation tool and explored dietary assessment methods, food security and sustainable food systems. The training also included a pedagogical component that focused on student-centred teaching methods that promote active learning and student engagement. 

The collaboration was supported by regular online meetings, co-development activities and visits between Tampere and Nepal. Six members of teaching staff from the participating units were responsible for pedagogical development during the NERC project. The database was developed by researchers recruited to the project, while the Excel-based calculation tool was created in collaboration with a data analytics specialist. Kinnunen attributes the project’s success primarily to the thorough and high-quality work carried out by the partners. 

“Openly available resources are not created simply by making a completed file publicly accessible. Questions about ownerships, terms of use, maintenance and future updates must be agreed upon during the planning phase. Although this approach requires time and active cooperation, it can generate lasting benefits that extend far beyond the duration of a single research project,” concludes Kinnunen. 

Read more about the NERC project: Strengthening Nutrition Education and Research Capacity in Universities in Nepal (NERC)