Development and application of a 2-step methodology to select a reference society providing Dietary Reference Values...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition science
• Public health policy
• European food safety standards

Background:

• Establishing national Dietary Reference Values (DRV) requires a robust methodology for selecting reliable reference societies.
• Switzerland sought a standardized approach to implement DRV for its population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a two-step methodology for selecting a reference society to provide DRV for national implementation in Switzerland.
• To illustrate the methodology's application using macronutrient and micronutrient data.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search and comparison of DRV and methodologies from eight European societies for seven nutrients (Step 1).
• A detailed analysis of DRV and methodologies from two preselected societies for forty-four nutrients (Step 2).
• Expert consultation via surveys, interviews, and focus groups involving six experts from Switzerland's linguistic regions.

Main Results:

• Five societies were excluded in Step 1 due to outdated information, language barriers, accessibility issues, or reliance on other sources.
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was favored in Step 2 due to accessible, free scientific background information.
• Alternative societies were identified for nine specific nutrients, considering the general population, subgroups, and the elderly.

Conclusions:

• The two-step methodology, involving a broad societal comparison initially and a focused analysis later, effectively managed complex data.
• EFSA was selected as the primary reference society for Switzerland's DRV, with specific adjustments for certain nutrients.
• This methodology provides a transferable framework for other countries seeking to establish national DRV.