Ronel Suthers1, Michelle Broom2, Eleanor Beck3. 1. School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: rs627@uowmail.edu.au. 2. Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council, Sydney, Australia. 3. School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics of successful public health interventions aimed at increasing whole grain consumption. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses framework, guided by higher-quality interventions with greatest effect size, was adopted to conduct a systematic literature review. RESULTS: Of 8,500 initial records, only 8 interventions with demonstrated reach (up to national populations) and effectiveness (increasing consumption 8-27 g/d) were eligible for synthesis. Their characteristics included multiple stakeholder involvement, specified target intakes in dietary guidelines, manufacturer codes of practice, product reformulation, evidence-based educational resources, social media, and community events with tasting and preparation opportunities. Empowerment of food service providers was also linked to success. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Successful interventions require multifaceted strategies across multiple aspects of the food system, underpinned by multiple stakeholder partnerships. Uniform capture of interventions using an online, searchable, public domain resource may provide a strategy to enable health professionals globally to plan local interventions across cultural settings, drawing on best practice guidelines developed from interventions with demonstrated reach and effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics of successful public health interventions aimed at increasing whole grain consumption. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses framework, guided by higher-quality interventions with greatest effect size, was adopted to conduct a systematic literature review. RESULTS: Of 8,500 initial records, only 8 interventions with demonstrated reach (up to national populations) and effectiveness (increasing consumption 8-27 g/d) were eligible for synthesis. Their characteristics included multiple stakeholder involvement, specified target intakes in dietary guidelines, manufacturer codes of practice, product reformulation, evidence-based educational resources, social media, and community events with tasting and preparation opportunities. Empowerment of food service providers was also linked to success. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Successful interventions require multifaceted strategies across multiple aspects of the food system, underpinned by multiple stakeholder partnerships. Uniform capture of interventions using an online, searchable, public domain resource may provide a strategy to enable health professionals globally to plan local interventions across cultural settings, drawing on best practice guidelines developed from interventions with demonstrated reach and effectiveness.