Global Trends in the Availability of Dietary Data in Low and Middle-Income Countries.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: de Quadros VP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9324857 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Global Trends in the Availability of Dietary Data in Low and Middle-Income Countries.
de Quadros Victoria Padula VP Balcerzak Agnieszka A Allemand Pauline P de Sousa Rita Ferreira RF Bevere Teresa T Arsenault Joanne J Deitchler Megan M Holmes Bridget Anna BA
Nutrients 20220721 14
Individual-level quantitative dietary data can provide suitably disaggregated information to identify the needs of all population sub-groups, which can in turn inform agricultural, nutrition, food safety, and environmental policies and programs. The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide an overview of dietary surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 1980 to 2019, analyzing their key characteristics to understand the trends in dietary data collection across time ...[more]
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Project description:Background/objectivesFor low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, a global nutrition transition is rapidly emerging as diets shift, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition. High quality dietary intake data for these populations is essential to understand dietary patterns contributing to these nutrition issues. New technology is emerging to address dietary assessment challenges; however, it is unknown how researchers conducting studies with LMIC populations or under-served groups in high-income countries adopt technology-assisted methods. This study aimed to describe the features of the dietary assessment methods used in these settings.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of members of an online international nutrition network was conducted. Participants completed an online questionnaire collecting data on dietary assessment method use, populations studied, and factors influencing method selection.ResultsOf 45 participants (ranging from 27 to 60 years) who completed the questionnaire, 67% conducted dietary assessments in children aged 1-5 years, 60% in pregnant women and 60% in female adults. Dietary assessment was conducted predominantly in countries classified as LMIC (n = 50), compared to the assessment of vulnerable groups in high-income countries (n = 3). All participants reported using 24-h recalls, 80% used food frequency questionnaires, while 22% used image-based and 22% used image-assisted methods. Predominant modes were interviewer-administered, paper questionnaires and manual analysis; however, digital survey platforms were used by nearly half of participants.ConclusionsAlthough traditional dietary assessment methods continue to dominate in LMICs, evidence of technological-assisted method use is emerging. Technology-assisted methods, tailored to address challenges in collecting quality dietary intake data in LMICs, are becoming more accessible.
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