OBJECTIVE: Current indices of diet quality generally include intakes of specific foods or nutrients. We sought to develop an index that discriminates healthy and unhealthy eating choices for use in large surveys as a short questionnaire and as a measure in existing studies with adequate dietary data. DESIGN: The Eating Choices Index (ECI) score included four components: (i) consumption of breakfast, (ii) consumption of two portions of fruit per day, (iii) type of milk consumed and (iv) type of bread consumed, each providing a score from 1 to 5. In analysis of 5 d food records, the ECI score was examined in relation to macronutrients, fibre, vitamin C, Fe, Ca and folate using Pearson correlations. Variation with sex, BMI, socio-economic status, marital status, smoking status and physical activity were also investigated. SETTING: Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development. SUBJECTS: Individuals (n 2256) aged 43 years. RESULTS: The ECI score (mean 12·3 (sd 3·5)) was significantly positively associated with protein, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin C, Fe, Ca and folate (r = 0·2-0·5; P < 0·001) and significantly negatively associated with fat intake (r = -0·2; P < 0·001); ECI scores were not correlated with total energy intake. Individuals with a lower ECI score were more likely to be men (P < 0·001), overweight or obese (P < 0·001), have lower socio-economic status (P < 0·001), smoke more (P < 0·001) and be less physically active (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: ECI scores correlated with nutrient profiles consistent with a healthy diet. It provides a simple method to rank diet healthiness in large observational studies.
OBJECTIVE: Current indices of diet quality generally include intakes of specific foods or nutrients. We sought to develop an index that discriminates healthy and unhealthy eating choices for use in large surveys as a short questionnaire and as a measure in existing studies with adequate dietary data. DESIGN: The Eating Choices Index (ECI) score included four components: (i) consumption of breakfast, (ii) consumption of two portions of fruit per day, (iii) type of milk consumed and (iv) type of bread consumed, each providing a score from 1 to 5. In analysis of 5 d food records, the ECI score was examined in relation to macronutrients, fibre, vitamin C, Fe, Ca and folate using Pearson correlations. Variation with sex, BMI, socio-economic status, marital status, smoking status and physical activity were also investigated. SETTING: Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development. SUBJECTS: Individuals (n 2256) aged 43 years. RESULTS: The ECI score (mean 12·3 (sd 3·5)) was significantly positively associated with protein, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin C, Fe, Ca and folate (r = 0·2-0·5; P < 0·001) and significantly negatively associated with fat intake (r = -0·2; P < 0·001); ECI scores were not correlated with total energy intake. Individuals with a lower ECI score were more likely to be men (P < 0·001), overweight or obese (P < 0·001), have lower socio-economic status (P < 0·001), smoke more (P < 0·001) and be less physically active (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: ECI scores correlated with nutrient profiles consistent with a healthy diet. It provides a simple method to rank diet healthiness in large observational studies.
Authors: Rodrigo San-Cristobal; Santiago Navas-Carretero; Carlos Celis-Morales; Katherine M Livingstone; Barbara Stewart-Knox; Audrey Rankin; Anna L Macready; Rosalind Fallaize; Clare B O'Donovan; Hannah Forster; Clara Woolhead; Marianne C Walsh; Christina P Lambrinou; George Moschonis; Yannis Manios; Miroslaw Jarosz; Hannelore Daniel; Eileen R Gibney; Lorraine Brennan; Thomas E Gundersen; Christian A Drevon; Mike Gibney; Cyril F M Marsaux; Wim H M Saris; Julie A Lovegrove; Lynn J Frewer; John C Mathers; J Alfredo Martinez Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2017-12-11 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Alexia Bivoltsis; Georgina S A Trapp; Matthew Knuiman; Paula Hooper; Gina L Ambrosini Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-04-13 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: M G M Pinho; J D Mackenbach; H Charreire; J-M Oppert; H Bárdos; K Glonti; H Rutter; S Compernolle; I De Bourdeaudhuij; J W J Beulens; J Brug; J Lakerveld Journal: Eur J Nutr Date: 2017-04-26 Impact factor: 5.614
Authors: Haya K Al Khatib; Wendy L Hall; Alice Creedon; Emily Ooi; Tala Masri; Laura McGowan; Scott V Harding; Julia Darzi; Gerda K Pot Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2018-01-01 Impact factor: 7.045