Choices Program Shown to Have Positive Impact on Nutrient Intakes of Young Dutch

29 Aug 2013 --- Following a Choices compliant diet can have beneficial effects on the intake of nutrients such as trans fatty acids (TFA), saturated fatty acids (SAFA), sodium, sugar, fibre and calcium. This was demonstrated by a new modelling study of Annet Roodenburg et al. from VU University Amsterdam, published in PLOS ONE (28 August 2013).

In this study, data from the 2003 Dutch food consumption survey in young adults (age 19-30 years) was used to calculate actual nutrient intake and intake when all products are replaced by Choices compliant products.

Under a Choices compliant diet, the intake of nutrients with a maximal intake limit decreased (sodium (-23%), total sugar (34%), SAFA (-40%),  TFA (-62%) and energy (-16%)) compared to actual intake, as well as an increase in fibre (28%). Choices does not have criteria for micronutrients. Nevertheless, a beneficial increase was found for calcium (17%), iron (14%), folate (5%), vitamin B1 (8%) and B6 (7%).

These beneficial effects of the Choices Programme are in line with an earlier study of Roodenburg et al. (2009). An unintentional decrease in fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D and E) was also found. This could be related to the replacement of high-fat foods such as liver-based meats and mayonnaise, by low-fat products. This decrease in this intake of fat soluble vitamins is a point for attention in cases when all products are Choices compliant, for example when the Choices programme would be implemented obligatory. 

In general, Choices products are lower in energy because of reduction in sugars and saturated and trans fats. After adjustment for energy, the beneficial decrease of maximal intake products was confirmed, as well as the increase of micronutrients. The negative changes for fat soluble vitamins became smaller after adjustment.

The unintentional negative changes for fat soluble are a point for attention. These effects should be studied in more detail. Overall, the study confirms the potential beneficial effects that a Choices compliant diet can have. Choosing healthier options in all product categories could lead to diets that are more in line with WHO recommendations. The results of this modelling study are promising and will hopefully be followed by field studies to confirm the results in real life situations.

References

A. Roodenburg et al. (2009). Potential impact of the Choices Programme on nutrient intakes in the Dutch Population. Nutrition Bulletin, 34/3: 318-23

A. Roodenburg et al. (2013). Modelling of usual nutrient intakes: Potential impact of the Choices Programme on nutrient intakes in Young Dutch adults. PLOS ONE [28 August 2013] http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072378