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Applications of nutrient profiling: potential role in diet-related chronic disease prevention and the feasibility of a core nutrient-profiling system

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 298–306 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

A number of different nutrient-profiling models have been proposed and several applications of nutrient profiling have been identified. This paper outlines the potential role of nutrient-profiling applications in the prevention of diet-related chronic disease (DRCD), and considers the feasibility of a core nutrient-profiling system, which could be modified for purpose, to underpin the multiple potential applications in a particular country.

Methods:

The ‘Four ‘P's of Marketing’ (Product, Promotion, Place and Price) are used as a framework for identifying and for classifying potential applications of nutrient profiling. A logic pathway is then presented that can be used to gauge the potential impact of nutrient-profiling interventions on changes in behaviour, changes in diet and, ultimately, changes in DRCD outcomes. The feasibility of a core nutrient-profiling system is assessed by examining the implications of different model design decisions and their suitability to different purposes.

Results and conclusions:

There is substantial scope to use nutrient profiling as part of the policies for the prevention of DRCD. A core nutrient-profiling system underpinning the various applications is likely to reduce discrepancies and minimise the confusion for regulators, manufacturers and consumers. It seems feasible that common elements, such as a standard scoring method, a core set of nutrients and food components, and defined food categories, could be incorporated as part of a core system, with additional application-specific criteria applying. However, in developing and in implementing such a system, several country-specific contextual and technical factors would need to be balanced.

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Acknowledgements

Some of the concepts included in this manuscript were developed as part of the preparation of a document currently being drafted for the World Health Organization by Mike Rayner, Peter Scarborough and Lynn Stockley with the draft title ‘Guiding principles and manual for the development and implementation of nutrient profile models’. We thank Mark Lawrence, Dorothy Mackerras and Veronique Braesco for comments made on early drafts of this manuscript. Gary Sacks is supported by a Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin Population Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    G Sacks, W Snowdon & B Swinburn

  2. Department of Public Health, British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    M Rayner, L Stockley & P Scarborough

  3. Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-communicable Diseases (C-POND), Fiji School of Medicine, Suva, Fiji

    W Snowdon

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  1. G Sacks
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Correspondence to G Sacks.

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Sacks, G., Rayner, M., Stockley, L. et al. Applications of nutrient profiling: potential role in diet-related chronic disease prevention and the feasibility of a core nutrient-profiling system. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 298–306 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.269

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