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Review
. 2023 Nov;26(11):2539-2550.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980022002580. Epub 2022 Dec 2.

From harmful nutrients to ultra-processed foods: exploring shifts in 'foods to limit' terminology used in national food-based dietary guidelines

Kim Anastasiou  1 , Patricia Ribeiro De Melo  1 , Scott Slater  1 , Gilly A Hendrie  2 , Michalis Hadjikakou  3 , Phillip K Baker  1   4 , Mark Andrew Lawrence  1   4
Affiliations
Review

From harmful nutrients to ultra-processed foods: exploring shifts in 'foods to limit' terminology used in national food-based dietary guidelines

Kim Anastasiou et al. Public Health Nutr. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: The choice of terms used to describe 'foods to limit' (FTL) in food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) can impact public understanding, policy translation and research applicability. The choice of terms in FBDG has been influenced by available science, values, beliefs and historical events. This study aimed to analyse the terms used and definitions given to FTL in FBDG around the world, including changes over time and regional differences.

Design: A review of terms used to describe FTL and their definitions in all current and past FBDG for adults was conducted, using a search strategy informed by the FAO FBDG website. Data from 148 guidelines (96 countries) were extracted into a pre-defined table and terms were organised by the categories 'nutrient-based', 'food examples' or 'processing-related'.

Setting: National FBDG from all world regions.

Participants: None.

Results: Nutrient-based terms (e.g. high-fat foods) were the most frequently used type of term in both current and past dietary guidelines (91 %, 85 %, respectively). However, food examples (e.g. cakes) and processing-related terms (e.g. ultra-processed foods) have increased in use over the past 20 years and are now often used in conjunction with nutrient-based terms. Regional differences were only observed for processing-related terms.

Conclusion: Diverse, and often poorly defined, terms are used to describe FTL in FBDG. Policymakers should ensure that FTL terms have clear definitions and can be integrated with other disciplines and understood by consumers. This may facilitate the inclusion of the most contemporary and potentially impactful terminology in nutrition research and policies.

Keywords: Dietary guidelines; Discretionary foods; Foods to limit; Nutrition policy; Nutrition terminology; Ultra-processed foods.

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Conflict of interest statement

Kim Anastasiou is also employed at the CSIRO (Australia’s National Science Agency) to conduct research on public health nutrition.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Venn diagram displaying the use of one type or multiple types of terms within current FBDG (total FBDG n 86). FBDG, food-based dietary guidelines
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A brief history of terms used to describe ‘foods to limit’ in national food-based dietary guidelines. Created using VISME.com
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Changes in types of terms used to describe ‘foods to limit’ in FBDG since the introduction of ‘foods to limit’ in the 1970s. FBDG, food-based dietary guidelines
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Regional differences in terms used to describe ‘foods to limit’ in current FBDG. FBDG, food-based dietary guidelines
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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