Future Diets Report

February 12th, 2014

Early this year, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a British think tank, issued the Future Diets Report. Discussing the nutritional transition that takes place around the globe, its key findings suggest that obesity among adults continues to grow especially in the developing world. This process has been linked to rising incomes that lead to a marked shift in diets from foods such as cereals and tubers to meat, fat and sugar, as well as vegetables and fruit. The report argues that at this stage there seems to be little will among political leaders and the public to influence the food choices people make through policy mechanism – a fact that could change in the face of the serious health implications. The report concludes that a combination of regulation, prices and education represent the most effective measure to battle obesity.

In his comments on the Future Diets Report Professor Barry Popkin from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the leading Choices scientists, confirms that there is a clear transition from undernutrition towards obesity in almost every region in the world. Especially in Latin America and the Middle East, obesity rates have shown dramatic increases, while government policy to tackle this challenge has not yet taken shape sufficiently.

According to Prof. Popkin, Mexico represents an interesting example of how rising obesity rates can be counteracted through regulatory measures. Currently under preparation, the policy package to be introduced by the Nieto administration includes a tax on sugary drinks and junk food, as well as a positive front-of-pack label based on the principles of the Choices International Programme. Both measures combined, together with a shift in culture, are hoped to reduce the rates of obesity in Mexico and act as an example for other countries in the region.

Decrease in US calorie intake: are we on the right track?

February 6th, 2014

According to prof. Barry Popkin and his team (University North Carolina), a reduction of energy intakes and a levelling of obesity rates is taking place in the US. Based on the large datasets of NHANES (24.000 persons) and the Nielsen Homescan Panel (166.00 households), the study shows that particularly children have decreased their calorie intake. This shift is driven more by declines in calorie purchases from beverages than from food. Popkin, who is also a member of the Choices International Scientific Committee, concludes that since 2003 the dietary and health behaviour of US consumers has changed irrespective of the economic depression in 2009-11 and irrespective of food prices. This could be an indication that both private and public health efforts could have contributed to this trend.

Source: Ng SW, Slining MM & Popkin B.M. (2014) Turning point for US diets? Recessionary effects or behavioral shifts in foods purchased and consumed. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, ajcn.072892

The calculated impact of the Choices Programme on nutrient intakes of young Dutch adults

November 6th, 2013

Following a Choices compliant diet can have beneficial effects on the intake of nutrients such as trans fatty acids (TFA), saturated fatty acids (SAFA), sodium, sugar, fibre and calcium. This was demonstrated by a new modelling study of Annet Roodenburg et al. from VU University Amsterdam, published in PLOS ONE (28 August 2013). In this study, data from the 2003 Dutch food consumption survey in young adults (age 19-30 years) was used to calculate actual nutrient intake and intake when all products are replaced by Choices compliant products.

Under a Choices compliant diet, the intake of nutrients with a maximal intake limit decreased (sodium (-23%), total sugar (-34%), SAFA (-40%),  TFA (-62%) and energy (-16%)) compared to actual intake, as well as an increase in fibre (28%). Choices does not have criteria for micronutrients. Nevertheless, a beneficial increase was found for calcium (17%), iron (14%), folate (5%), vitamin B1 (8%) and B6 (7%).

These beneficial effects of the Choices Programme are in line with an earlier study of Roodenburg et al. (2009). An unintentional decrease in fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D and E) was also found. This could be related to the replacement of high-fat foods such as liver-based meats and mayonnaise, by low-fat products. This decrease in this intake of fat soluble vitamins is a point for attention in cases when all products are Choices compliant, for example when the Choices programme would be implemented obligatory.  

In general, Choices products are lower in energy because of reduction in sugars and saturated and trans fats. After adjustment for energy, the beneficial decrease of maximal intake products was confirmed, as well as the increase of micronutrients. The negative changes for fat soluble vitamins became smaller after adjustment.

The unintentional negative changes for fat soluble vitamins are a point of attention. These effects should be studied in more detail. Overall, the study confirms the potential beneficial effects that a Choices compliant diet can have. Choosing healthier options in all product categories could lead to diets that are more in line with WHO recommendations. The results of this modelling study are promising and will hopefully be followed by field studies to confirm the results in real life situations.

References

A. Roodenburg et al. (2009). Potential impact of the Choices Programme on nutrient intakes in the Dutch Population. Nutrition Bulletin, 34/3: 318-23

A. Roodenburg et al. (2013). Modelling of usual nutrient intakes: Potential impact of the Choices Programme on nutrient intakes in Young Dutch adults. PLOS ONE [28 August 2013] http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072378