How We Eat: Grading the evidence for population-level advice on eating behaviours in New Zealand

Abstract

How We Eat: Grading the evidence for population-level advice on eating behaviours in New Zealand Keywords: Health promotion (behavior change, health promotion), Health related behaviours (Food, nutrition, obesity), Research methodologies and methods Authors: Sarah Gerritsen1, Clare Wall2, Louise McIntyre3 and Harriette Carr3 1. School of Population Health, FMHS, University of Auckland, New Zealand 2 Department of Nutrition, FMHS, University of Auckland, New Zealand 3. Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy, Public Health, Ministry of Health, New Zealand The New Zealand Eating and Activity Guidelines have primarily had a focus on dietary intake, or what we eat. To complement these guidelines, the Ministry of Health commissioned a project to focus instead on How We Eat. This project aimed to summarise the available evidence on modifiable food and eating behaviours related to diet and body size outcomes, and provide evidence-based advice for the public and health practitioners. A consultation with 45 public health, nutrition and behavioural experts was undertaken to develop the scope the project, resulting in a list of six topics with 14 associated research questions. Literature reviews and grading of the evidence for each of the questions were undertaken using the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) levels of evidence and grades for recommendations (1). This method appraises the evidence not only according to the quantity, level and quality of studies, but incorporates elements of generalisability and applicability to the groups of interest (in this case, the New Zealand population and priority groups of Māori, Pacific and low-income families). Key findings of the review of evidence will be presented with a focus on parenting styles, food rules and mealtimes (routines, eating with others, duration and speed of meals). We will consider the challenges involved when producing graded evidence statements for population-level guidelines, and the utility of these for health promotion. Reference 1. NHMRC. Levels of evidence and grades for recommendations for developers of guidelines. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council; 2009.