Dietary patterns, foods and nutrients: a descriptive analysis of the systematic reviews conducted to inform the Australian Dietary Guidelines

Wingrove, Kate; Lawrence, Mark; McNaughton, Sarah A.

doi:10.1017/s0954422420000190

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It is now expected that dietary guidelines are informed by evidence from dietary patterns research ( 23 – 25 ). However, a lack of standardization in the application and reporting of dietary pattern assessment methods, and the reporting of the dietary patterns that are analyzed with health outcomes can make it difficult to synthesize evidence from dietary patterns research ( 7 , 14 , 15 , 22 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of the Methods Used to Assess and Report Dietary Patterns

2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of dietary pattern assessment methods has increased over time. However, data from individual studies can be difficult to compare and synthesize when the dietary pattern assessment methods, and the dietary patterns that are identified are not described sufficiently. The aims of this systematic review were to analyze the application and reporting of dietary pattern assessment methods, and the reporting of the dietary patterns that were analyzed with health outcomes. Three electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, and Global Health). Cohort and nested case control studies published in English between January 1980 and March 2019 that examined associations between dietary patterns and health outcomes (including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and body weight) in apparently healthy, community dwelling adults (aged over 18 years) or children (aged 2–18 years) were eligible for inclusion. A narrative synthesis was conducted and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the application and reporting of each dietary pattern assessment method, and the reporting of the identified dietary patterns. Analysis of associations between dietary patterns and health outcomes was beyond the scope of this review. Of the included studies (n = 410), 62.7% used index-based methods, 30.5% used factor analysis or principal component analysis, 6.3% used reduced rank regression, and 5.6% used cluster analysis. Some studies (4.6%) used more than one method. There was considerable variation in the application and reporting of dietary pattern assessment methods. For example, the application of Mediterranean diet indices varied in terms of the nature of dietary components (foods only or foods and nutrients) and the rationale behind the cut-off points (absolute and/or data driven). In some cases, important methodological details were omitted. The level of detail used to describe the dietary patterns also varied, and food and nutrient profiles were often not reported. To ensure dietary patterns evidence can be synthesized and translated into dietary guidelines, standardized approaches for the application and reporting of dietary pattern assessment methods and the reporting of the identified dietary patterns would be beneficial.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of the Methods Used to Assess and Report Dietary Patterns

2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One possible explanation for the persisting focus on nutrients is that nutrient-based research is more likely to inform the creation of dietary guidelines because of the mechanisms behind hierarchical evidence frameworks. 61 For example, evidence from a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of a single nutrient would be ranked higher than a cohort study about the consequences of UPF-consumption. And even though research on broader dietary patterns and UPF consumption has been increasing, 60 a reductive approach centred on nutrients still builds the basis for key measures like recommended daily intakes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representations of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Global Analysis of How Dietary Guidelines Refer to Levels of Food Processing

Koios

Machado

Lacy-Nichols

2022

Int J Health Policy Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: As evidence grows about negative health impacts of ultra-processed foods, nutrient-centred advice is contested, and food-based dietary guidelines are increasingly utilised. Previous analyses of dietary guidelines evaluated their potential impact on health and sustainability, but little research has been conducted to examine how the concept of ultra-processed foods is reflected in dietary advice for consumers. This paper systematically analyses whether and how ultra-processed foods are represented in dietary guidelines internationally. Methods: Based on a systematic online search, the consumer-targeted key messages of 106 dietary guidelines were identified and a qualitative content analysis was conducted. A coding framework was developed to classify messages as ‘eat more’ or ‘eat less’ according to the language used (e.g. ‘choose’ vs ‘avoid’) and to differentiate between a focus on nutrients or food processing. Specific foods mentioned in ‘eat less’ guidelines were classified according to their level of processing using the NOVA framework. Results: 99% of guidelines utilised some type of nutrient-based message, either promoting ‘positive’ nutrients (e.g. vitamins) or discouraging the consumption of ‘negative’ nutrients (mainly salt, sugar and fat). Explicit references to food processing were present in 45% of ‘eat less’ guidelines and 5% of ‘eat more’ guidelines. Implicit references (e.g. promoting ‘raw’ or discouraging ‘packaged’ foods) were found in 43% of ‘eat less’ and 75% of ‘eat more’ guidelines. 53% of the specific foods referred to in ‘eat less’ advice were ultra-processed foods. Conclusion: Overall, nutrient-based messages were more common than messages about processing levels. The majority of discouraged foods were ultra-processed foods, however some minimally processed foods were discouraged, which points to tensions and contradictions between nutrient- and processing-based dietary advice. As dietary guidelines begin to include advice about food processing, it is important to consider both consumer understanding of the terms used and their capacity to act on the advice.

show abstract

“…The dynamic and extensive research evidence is translated into the move of single-nutrient recommendations toward beneficial dietary patterns as an approach for informing public health recommendations [28] as seen in the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. To date, there is also proposal to consider dietary patterns in developing future iterations of the Australian Dietary Guidelines [29].…”

Section: Motivationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Mediterranean Diet in Cardiovascular Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Motivations and Challenges

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of disability and death in many countries. Together with CVD, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for more than 80% of all premature non-communicable disease deaths. The protective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on CVD and its risk factors, including T2DM, has been a constant topic of interest. Notwithstanding, despite the large body of evidence, scientists are concerned about the challenges and difficulties of the application of MedDiet. This review aims to explore the motivations and challenges for using MedDiet in patients with CVD and T2DM. Design: An electronic search was conducted for articles about MedDiet published in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science up to December 2021, particularly on CVD and T2DM patients. From a total of 1536 studies, the final eligible set of 108 studies was selected. Study selection involved three iterations of filtering. Results: Motivation to apply MedDiet was driven by the importance of studying the entire food pattern rather than just one nutrient, the health benefits, and the distinct characteristics of MedDiet. Challenges of the application of MedDiet include lacking universal definition and scoring of MedDiet. Influences of nutritional transition that promote shifting of traditional diets to Westernized diets further complicate the adherence of MedDiet. The challenges also cover the research aspects, including ambiguous and inconsistent findings, the inexistence of positive results, limited evidence, and generalization in previous studies. The review revealed that most of the studies recommended that future studies are needed in terms of health benefits, describing the potential benefits of MedDiet, identifying the barriers, and mainly discussing the effect of MedDiet in different populations. Conclusions: In general, there is consistent and strong evidence that MedDiet is associated inversely with CVD risk factors and directly with glycemic control. MedDiet is the subject of active and diverse research despite the existing challenges. This review informs the health benefits conferred by this centuries-old dietary pattern and highlights MedDiet could possibly be revolutionary, practical, and non-invasive approach for the prevention and treatment CVD and T2DM.

show abstract

Dietary patterns, foods and nutrients: a descriptive analysis of the systematic reviews conducted to inform the Australian Dietary Guidelines

Cited by 9 publications

References 22 publications

A Systematic Review of the Methods Used to Assess and Report Dietary Patterns

A Systematic Review of the Methods Used to Assess and Report Dietary Patterns

Representations of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Global Analysis of How Dietary Guidelines Refer to Levels of Food Processing

Application of Mediterranean Diet in Cardiovascular Diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Motivations and Challenges

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About