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Should nutrient profiles be based on 100 g, 100 kcal or serving size?
A Drewnowski1, M Maillot, N Darmon
1Center for Public Health Nutrition and the Nutritional Sciences Program, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, 305 Raitt Hall, 353410, Washington, MI 98195-3410, USA. adamdrew@u.washington.edu
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 6, 2008
Summary
Nutrient profiling models using serving sizes or 100 kcal are best for nutrients to encourage, while 100 g is optimal for nutrients to limit. Reference amounts customarily consumed (RACC) profiles are a consumer-friendly option.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional science
- Food composition analysis
- Dietary assessment
Background:
- Nutrient profiling classifies foods by nutrient content.
- Profiles can be calculated per 100 g, 100 kcal, or serving size.
- Optimal calculation base for nutrient profiles requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare nutrient profile performance using 100 g, 100 kcal, and serving sizes.
- Identify the most effective base for nutrient profile calculations.
- Evaluate profile performance relative to food energy density.
Main Methods:
- Developed nutrient profiles with positive (encourage) and negative (limit) subscores.
- Calculated alternative profiles using different bases (100 g, 100 kcal, RACC).
- Ranked 378 foods using these profiles and assessed against energy density.
Main Results:
- Serving sizes (RACC) showed an inverse relationship with energy density.
- Positive subscores performed similarly whether based on 100 kcal or RACC.
- Negative subscores performed better when calculated per 100 g compared to 100 kcal.
Conclusions:
- Serving size and 100 kcal bases are preferable for positive nutrient subscores.
- 100 g base is superior for negative nutrient subscores.
- RACC-based nutrient profiles offer a potentially appealing choice for US consumers.
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