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The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition Methodology & Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 May 2025) | Viewed by 6933

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Director Department of Global Public Health & Bioethics, Professor of Public Health, Chair Healthy Living, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Interests: cardiometabolic health; dietary assessment; food insecurity; nutrition; lifestyle; physical activity
Dr. Sara Beigrezaei

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Global Public Health & Bioethics, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Interests: dietary assessment; dietary pattern; cardiometabolic health; nutrition; lifestyle; physical activity; meta-analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For many decades, clarifying the relationship between diet and health has been a challenge for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Nutritional surveys are widely known as the most popular, efficient, and cost-effective method for investigating various health outcomes, and dietary assessments are central to the evaluation of diet–health relationships. Dietary assessment data are collected in different contexts, including epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and personalized nutrition plans. Furthermore, a broad range of dietary assessment tools have been used, from different questionnaires and biomarkers to omics and new digital tools. The advances in technological innovation and biomarkers along with traditional methods can potentially enhance the quality of dietary assessment data in future research. Furthermore, new technologies and digital tools for dietary assessment are promising areas to enhance dietary intake assessment by improving accuracy, reducing the burden on users, and enabling more comprehensive data analysis in clinical and/or epidemiological studies. While all dietary assessment techniques are prone to measurement errors, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of data collection using different methodologies during this transition. This Special Issue aims to bring together novel dietary assessment methods and different perspectives in nutritional research to improve health. In this context, this Special Issue invites original research articles, validation studies, reviews, meta-analyses, opinions, and commentaries that address all relevant aspects of the role of dietary assessment and nutritional surveys in human health, including the development of novel dietary assessment methods such as biomarkers, new technologies, digital tools, omics, validation studies, and methods to assess dietary patterns using innovative statistical methods, macro/micronutrients, food components, and food groups.

Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Dr. Sara Beigrezaei
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dietary assessment
  • dietary metrics
  • dietary intake
  • dietary patterns
  • food intake
  • macro/micronutrients intake
  • nutritional surveys
  • diet surveys
  • validity
  • nutrition-related biomarkers
  • precision nutrition
  • innovations and new technologies in dietary assessment
  • digital tools in dietary assessment
  • new statistical methods in nutritional surveys

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 635 KiB  
Article
Within- and Between-Individual Variations in Protein, Sodium, Potassium, and Phosphorus Intake Estimated from Urinary Biomarkers and Dietary Records in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
by Tomoya Takaoka, Daiki Watanabe, Manami Hosokawa, Kana Hosokawa, Satoshi Kubota, Yuko Kawai, Fumi Oono, Yumiko Inoue, Chieko Zakoji, Ako Oiwa, Ai Sato, Masanori Yamazaki and Mitsuhisa Komatsu
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1757; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111757 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 91
Abstract
Background/Aim: Appropriate dietary assessment plays a crucial role in individualized nutritional therapy for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Daily dietary variations must be considered in the estimation of usual dietary intake, and such data are limited in individuals with T2DM. This [...] Read more.
Background/Aim: Appropriate dietary assessment plays a crucial role in individualized nutritional therapy for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Daily dietary variations must be considered in the estimation of usual dietary intake, and such data are limited in individuals with T2DM. This study aimed to evaluate within- and between-individual variations in protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus intakes estimated from 24 h urine collection (24 h UC) and semi-weighted dietary records (DRs) in Japanese individuals with T2DM. Methods: This study included 39 Japanese individuals (26 males, 13 females; mean age 64.6 years) with T2DM who attended two hospitals. Protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus intakes were estimated using 2-day 24 h UC and 3-day DRs and within- and between-individual variations were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean protein, potassium, and phosphorus intakes did not significantly differ between 24 h UC and DRs. However, sodium intake was lower when estimated by DRs than by 24 h UC. The coefficients of within-individual variation (CVw) differed between 24 h UC and DRs. For protein and phosphorus, the CVw values were smaller by 12.5% and 8.0% in males and 2.3% and 3.0% in females, respectively, for 24 h UC than DRs. For sodium and potassium, the CVw values were smaller by 7.0% and 4.8% in males, but larger by 5.0% and 3.3% in females, respectively, for 24 h UC than DRs. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that 24 h UC showed smaller within-individual variations than DRs for protein and phosphorus in both sexes, with sex-specific differences for sodium and potassium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health)
12 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study on the Dietary Iodine Intake and the Contribution Rates of Various Foods to the Dietary Iodine Intake among Residents in Zhejiang in 2010 and 2022
by Jiaxin He, Lichun Huang, Simeng Gu, Zhe Mo, Danting Su, Chenyang Liu, Fanjia Guo, Yuanyang Wang, Zhijian Chen, Ronghua Zhang, Xiaoming Lou, Guangming Mao and Xiaofeng Wang
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3101; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183101 - 14 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1352
Abstract
We aim to analyze the changes in dietary iodine intake and the contribution rates of various foods to it after the reduction in salt iodine concentration in Zhejiang. We used data from two cross-sectional nutrition surveillance surveys conducted by the Zhejiang Provincial Center [...] Read more.
We aim to analyze the changes in dietary iodine intake and the contribution rates of various foods to it after the reduction in salt iodine concentration in Zhejiang. We used data from two cross-sectional nutrition surveillance surveys conducted by the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2010 (9798 residents) and 2022 (5980 residents). In both surveys, multi-stage stratified and systematic sampling were adopted, and uniformly trained investigators conducted the dietary surveys using a 24 h dietary review and weighing record methods for 3 consecutive days. From 2010 to 2022, the median salt iodine concentration and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in Zhejiang households dropped from 28.80 to 22.08 mg/kg and from 76.65% to 64.20%, respectively. Moreover, the residents’ median dietary iodine intake decreased from 277.48 to 142.05 μg/d. Significant interregional differences in dietary iodine intake were found in 2010 and 2022 (H = 639.175, p < 0.001; H = 588.592, p < 0.001, respectively); however, no significant differences existed between urban and rural areas (p > 0.05). From 2010 to 2022, the proportion of residents with dietary iodine intake below the estimated average requirement increased from 15.10% to 34.80%, while that of residents with intake above the tolerable upper limit decreased from 15.00% to 2.90%. The contribution rate of salt to dietary iodine intake among residents in Zhejiang decreased from 74.92% to 48.54%, showing an apparent overall downward trend despite the dietary intake being generally adequate (markedly inadequate in coastal regions). The salt iodine concentration and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in households in Zhejiang showed downward trends. Salt remained the main source of dietary iodine; however, its contribution decreased significantly. Zhejiang may need to reverse the trend of the continuous decline in the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt to protect the health of its residents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health)
12 pages, 573 KiB  
Article
Planetary Health Diet Compared to Dutch Dietary Guidelines: Nutritional Content and Adequacy
by Julieth Pilar Uriza-Pinzón, Femke Fleur Verstraete, Oscar H. Franco, Vicente Artola Arita, Mary Nicolaou and Yvonne T. Van der Schouw
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142219 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2743
Abstract
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a Planetary Health Diet (PHD) to address challenges toward sustainable and healthy diets. However, its suitability within the Dutch context and a comparison with the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (DDG) needs investigation. Our study aimed to compare the [...] Read more.
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a Planetary Health Diet (PHD) to address challenges toward sustainable and healthy diets. However, its suitability within the Dutch context and a comparison with the Dutch Dietary Guidelines (DDG) needs investigation. Our study aimed to compare the PHD with DDG in terms of food groups, servings, nutritional content, and adequacy in adults. We modeled two theoretical diets, the PHD (PHD-NL) and another based on the DDG (DDG-NL), using the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (FCS-2016) and Dutch Food Composition Database to calculate the nutritional content and compared it with the Dutch Dietary Reference Values (DRVs). The PHD included higher quantities of vegetables, fish, legumes, and nuts, while the DDG suggested more significant amounts of cereals, tubers, starchy vegetables, dairy, and red meat. We observed differences in macronutrient distribution; while both diets lacked sufficient vitamin D, calcium content was lower in the PHD-NL. The PHD-NL had higher levels of fiber, vegetable protein, unsaturated fats, and non-heme iron, while vitamins B2, B6, B12, and calcium were lower than the DDG-NL diet. The PHD-NL has nutritional adequacy in the Dutch context, except for vitamin D and calcium, although it is essential to be cautious with iron because of the bioavailability of non-heme iron in plant-based diets. These findings have implications for the adoption of a sustainable diet according to nutritional requirements, population health status, and sociocultural context, as well as compliance with specific dietary behaviors of populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health)
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17 pages, 1722 KiB  
Article
Design and Validation of MEDOC, a Tool to Assess the Combined Adherence to Mediterranean and Western Dietary Patterns
by Camilla Barbero Mazzucca, Lorenza Scotti, Davide Raineri, Giuseppe Cappellano and Annalisa Chiocchetti
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1745; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111745 - 2 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1311
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet (MD) and Western diet (WD) are poles apart as dietary patterns. Despite the availability of epidemiological tools to estimate the adherence to MD, to date, there is a lack of combined scores. We developed MEDOC, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean diet (MD) and Western diet (WD) are poles apart as dietary patterns. Despite the availability of epidemiological tools to estimate the adherence to MD, to date, there is a lack of combined scores. We developed MEDOC, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed to calculate a combined adherence score for both diets and validated it on 213 subjects. The test–retest reliability revealed all frequency questions falling within the acceptable range of 0.5 to 0.7 (Pearson correlation coefficient) in younger (<30 years old) subjects, while 1 question out of 39 fell below the range in older (>30 years old) participants. The reproducibility for portion size was less satisfying, with, respectively, 38.2% and 70.5% of questions falling below 0.5 (Cohen’s Kappa index) for younger and older subjects. The good correlation (R = 0.63, p < 0.0001 for subjects younger than 30 years and R = 0.54, p < 0.0001 for subjects older than 30 years, Pearson’s correlation coefficient) between the MEDOC score and the MediDietScore (MDS) confirmed the validity of the MEDOC score in identifying patients who adhere to the MD. Harnessing the capabilities of this innovative tool, we aim to broaden the existing perspective to study complex dietary patterns in nutritional epidemiology studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health)
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Review

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18 pages, 781 KiB  
Review
Ultra-Processed Food and Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Recommendations
by Kristin E. Leonberg, Manish R. Maski, Tammy M. Scott and Elena N. Naumova
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091560 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are formulations of ingredients that are mostly of exclusive industrial use and may contain additives like artificial colors, flavors, or stabilizers. The sale and consumption of these foods have been increasing despite their associations with increased risk for several [...] Read more.
Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are formulations of ingredients that are mostly of exclusive industrial use and may contain additives like artificial colors, flavors, or stabilizers. The sale and consumption of these foods have been increasing despite their associations with increased risk for several non-communicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Compared to less processed and perishable foods, UPFs have longer shelf stability, are widely accessible, and are convenient. They also tend to be more affordable and lower in nutritional quality. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023488201) was to investigate whether consumption of UPF is associated with a higher risk of CKD in adults. Methods: We completed a systematic search using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central databases to identify observational studies published since the wide acceptance of UPF classification and conducted a random-effects model to pool the risk estimates. Results: A total of seven studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, of which four were eligible for meta-analysis. Across these studies, there were 19,645 incident CKD cases from individuals free of baseline CKD. Using a random-effects model, higher UPF intake was significantly associated with increased CKD risk (pooled log-hazard ratio = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.07–0.28; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Given the substantial evidence from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicating an association between UPF and CKD, it is recommended for public health policies to address this risk. Promoting dietary guidelines that encourage the consumption of minimally processed foods could potentially mitigate the prevalence of CKD and improve overall public health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Dietary Assessment and Nutritional Surveys in Human Health)
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