Dietary Diversity Score
Also known as: Dietary Diversity Scores, DDS, dietary diversity scores
Facts (76)
Sources
Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a ... link.springer.com Feb 28, 2025 55 facts
referenceCollins et al. published a study in Australia finding that better self-rated health is linked to a higher Dietary Diversity Score.
referenceGolpour-Hamedani S, Rafie N, Pourmasoumi M, Saneei P, Safavi SM published a case-control study in Public Health (2018) titled 'Higher dietary diversity score is associated with obesity: a case–control study' which examines the association between dietary diversity scores and obesity.
procedureResearchers can apply simple transformations to the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) to account for regions with diverse foodscapes (relative-DDS) and to adjust for the nutritional weight of unhealthy foods (directional-DDS).
measurementA one-way ANOVA analysis found a statistically significant incremental increase in mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) as self-rated health (SRH) levels increased (p < 0.01).
procedureResearchers used a one-way ANOVA with post-hoc pairwise comparisons using Tukey’s test to compare mean Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) across five categories of self-rated health (poor, passable, good, very good, and excellent).
measurementThe mean dietary diversity score for all regions combined in the study was 9.22.
claimRegardless of the region considered, the participants’ age, sex, or inclination to prepare meals at home, the higher the dietary diversity score of individuals, the higher their chances of declaring themselves in good health.
claimIn a complex model including socio-demographic variables, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), age, and level of participation in preparing meals were found to be statistically significant predictors of self-rated health (SRH).
claimDietary diversity scores (DDS) are associated with the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk factors, and metabolomic syndrome, although some systematic reviews and meta-analyses caution that these relationships depend on the method used to determine the DDS.
referenceThe systematic review and meta-analysis titled 'Dietary diversity score and cardio-metabolic risk factors: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis' was published in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity in 2022 (Volume 27, Issue 1, pages 85–100).
claimNumerous studies have associated dietary diversity scores (DDS) with nutrient intake adequacy, particularly regarding micronutrients.
measurementThe population of Tessekere in the Ferlo region of Senegal had a significantly lower dietary diversity score compared to the other three regions studied.
claimDietary diversity scores (DDS) are associated with biological and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status, including height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ), BMI, weight, and height.
procedureTo facilitate the cross-cultural comparison of dietary diversity between socio-ecosystems with distinctive food systems, researchers may use a relative Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) scaled according to each system’s maximum score.
measurementIn the study, the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) for Estarreja, Portugal, was comparable to those for the Caribbean Coast (Guadeloupe) and the Oyapock River (French Guiana).
claimPoorrezaeian et al. found that Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was inversely associated with depression and anxiety.
claimThe study titled 'Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a...' found a positive relationship between Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) and Self-Rated Health (SRH), indicating that food consumption at a specific moment in time plays a significant role in the subjective perception of health, comparable to long-term dietary habits.
measurementThe Caribbean Coast (Guadeloupe) and the Oyapock River region (French Guiana) exhibit similar and high Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS), with meat consumption serving as a key indicator of their dietary typology.
claimA study across four different socio-ecosystems found that the Dietary Diversity Score is significantly linked to self-rated health, regardless of locality, age, sex, marital status, meal preparation method, or the number of meals eaten out.
referenceVerger EO, Le Port A, Borderon A, Bourbon G, Moursi M, Savy M, et al. published a cross-sectional study in the Annals of General Psychiatry (2017) titled 'Depression is related to dietary diversity score in women: a cross-sectional study from a developing country' which investigates the relationship between mental health and dietary diversity.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) has a significant association with Self-Rated Health (SRH), which provides practical value for interpreting dietary diversity when calculated as an indiscriminate cumulative measure of food groups.
referenceFarhangi MA, Jahangiry L published a study in Public Health Nutrition (2006) titled 'Dietary diversity score and cardiovascular risk factors in tehranian adults' which analyzes the relationship between dietary diversity and cardiovascular health.
claimDietary Diversity Score (DDS) captures socio-economic status and household food security, and may capture other health determinants that impact Self-Rated Health (SRH).
measurementA binary logistic regression analysis found that Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is a statistically significant predictor of self-rated health (SRH) (p < 0.01).
claimThere is a lack of research explicitly showing the relationship between self-rated health (SRH) and objective health through diet (Dietary Diversity Score, DDS).
procedureResearchers used a Student’s t-test to compare mean Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) after dichotomizing self-rated health responses into two categories (poor = 1 vs. good = 0).
claimDiverse diets containing a variety of foods are linked to increased subjective health, this association persists despite differences in dietary diversity between socio-ecosystems, and the association accounts for sentinel unhealthy foods, highlighting the utility of Self-Rated Health (SRH) for assessing nutrition therapy outcomes.
claimThe study 'Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a...' claims to be the first to demonstrate the relationship between Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Self-Rated Health (SRH).
claimThe study titled 'Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a...' is the first to show a positive association between Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Self-Rated Health (SRH) across distinct cultural groups using qualitative data collection methods and quantitative analyses.
referenceKennedy GL, Pedro MR, Seghieri C, Nantel G, and Brouwer I published a study in Public Health Nutrition (2006) titled 'Food variety and dietary diversity scores in children: are they good indicators of dietary adequacy?' which evaluates the efficacy of these scores as indicators of dietary adequacy in children.
measurementAn ANOVA analysis found statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) between mean Dietary Diversity Scores across the studied regions.
claimInterpretations of the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) are subject to the same limitations that apply to 24-hour recall dietary surveys.
referenceArimond M, Wiesmann D, Becquey E, Carriquiry A, Daniels MC, Deitchler M, et al. published a study in the Journal of Nutrition (2007) titled 'Dietary diversity score is a useful Indicator of Micronutrient Intake in Non-breast-feeding Filipino Children' which assesses the utility of dietary diversity scores for measuring micronutrient intake.
claimTessekere (Senegal) participants had the lowest mean Dietary Diversity Score compared to other regions.
referenceSalehi-Abargouei et al. (2016) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies regarding the relationship between dietary diversity scores and obesity, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is considered an appropriate proxy for assessing diet quality and adequacy, as well as predicting energy and nutrient intake.
claimThere is no conventionally defined number of food groups required for calculating the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS).
procedureThe dietary diversity score (DDS) was utilized as a discrete quantitative variable and categorized into terciles to differentiate between high, medium, and low dietary diversity.
claimSweet and salty sentinel foods contribute less to the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) in Estarreja, Portugal, because they are consumed much less frequently there compared to other regions.
claimAs Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) increases, the probability of participants declaring bad health decreases.
referenceAzadbakht L, Mirmiranian Mirmiran P, Esmaillzadeh A, Azizi F published a study in BMC Endocrine Disorders (2020) titled 'The association between dietary diversity score and general and abdominal obesity in Iranian children and adolescents' which investigates the link between dietary diversity and obesity types in youth.
measurementThe mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) across all regions was 9.20.
claimThe study 'Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a...' infers that Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is linked to medium- and long-term morbidity and mortality in the regions studied, based on the health implications of Self-Rated Health (SRH).
referencePoorrezaeian et al. (2015) identified an association between dietary diversity scores and anxiety levels in women.
measurementMany studies calculate the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) using nine to 12 food groups, whereas the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines describe 16 and 18 groups, respectively.
measurementThe ranking of mean Dietary Diversity Scores by region, from highest to lowest, is Caribbean Coast (Guadeloupe), Oyapock (French Guiana), Estarreja (Portugal), and Tessekere (Senegal).
measurementA one-tailed t-test showed that Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was lower among participants who declared “bad” health (p < 0.01) after dichotomizing the responses.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) calculation does not take into account the frequency of consumption or the amount of food consumed.
referenceMirmiran et al. (2004) determined that the dietary diversity score is a good indicator of nutritional adequacy in adolescents based on the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
claimDifferences in mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) between regions do not affect the relationship between DDS and self-rated health (SRH) across different regions.
claimDietary Diversity Score (DDS) was significantly higher among participants who declared their health as “good”, “very good”, or “excellent”.
referenceQorbani M, Mahdavi-Gorabi A, Khatibi N, Ejtahed HS, Khazdouz M, Djalalinia S, et al. published a study in Primary Care Diabetes (2018) titled 'The relation of dietary diversity score and food insecurity to metabolic syndrome features and glucose level among pre-diabetes subjects' which examines the impact of diet and food security on pre-diabetic patients.
referenceModjadji P, Molokwane D, Ukegbu PO published a study in the Journal of Nutrition (2006) titled 'Dietary diversity scores and Nutritional Status of women Change during the Seasonal Food shortage in Rural Burkina Faso' which analyzes how nutritional status fluctuates with dietary diversity during food shortages.
measurementMultiple binary logistic regression analysis found that dietary diversity score (OR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.79, 0.99], p = 0.010) and at-home meal preparation (OR = 3.31, 95% CI [1.55, 7.07], p = 0.002) were statistically significant predictors of self-rated health.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is frequently utilized in studies concerning undernourishment but is used less frequently in contexts involving over-nutrition.
A Consensus Proposal for Nutritional Indicators to Assess ... - Frontiers frontiersin.org 7 facts
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score at the household level (HDDS) is used as a proxy for the socioeconomic level of a household, reflecting the economic ability of a household to consume a variety of foods.
claimThe abbreviation DDS stands for Dietary Diversity Score.
claimDietary Diversity Scores (DDS) are defined as the number of food groups consumed over a reference period.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score is based on the principle that nutrient needs are met by a diet composed of several foods rather than a single food source.
claimDietary diversity scores have been designed specifically for developing countries that lack regularly carried out national statistics on dietary topics.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score is a qualitative measure of household access to and consumption of a wide variety of foods, serving as an indicator of diet quality and a proxy for nutrient intake adequacy.
claimThe thirteen identified nutrition indicators are: A1 (Vegetable/animal protein consumption ratios), A2 (Average dietary energy adequacy), A3 (Dietary Energy Density Score), A4 (Nutrient density of diet), A5 (Fruit and vegetable consumption/intakes), A6 (Dietary Diversity Score), A7 (Food biodiversity composition and consumption), A8 (Rate of local/regional foods and seasonality), A9 (Rate of eco-friendly food production and/or consumption), A10 (Physical activity/physical inactivity prevalence), A11 (Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern), A12 (Diet-related morbidity/mortality statistics), and A13 (Nutritional anthropometry).
measurement-of-dietary-diversity Research Articles - Page 1 discovery.researcher.life 4 facts
claimThe association between Dietary Diversity Score (DSS) of all food groups and Body Mass Index-for-Age Z-score (BAZ) in children was reported to be insignificant (0.00 < r < 0.30; P > 0.05).
procedureThe study used the Mann Whitney Test to analyze the difference between dietary diversity score calculations with and without a 10-gram minimum intake requirement.
claimThe study by Trias Mahmudiono et al. aimed to compare dietary diversity score (DDS) measurements using two methods: one applying a 10-gram minimum intake for all food groups and one without this minimum.
claimThe Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is a valid measure to predict vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia, as indicated by associations between DDS and circulating micronutrients in rural Indian youth.
Dietary Diversity and Its Association with Diet Quality and Health ... pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 3 facts
claimThe study identifies two dietary diversity indices: the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the food variety score (FVS).
claimThe study investigates the association between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and anthropometric measures.
claimThe study published in PMC10743104 investigates the association between two dietary diversity indices, specifically the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the food variety score (FVS), and anthropometric outcomes.
A Scoping Review of Indicators for Sustainable Healthy Diets frontiersin.org Jan 12, 2022 2 facts
referenceSteyn et al. (2006) published 'Food variety and dietary diversity scores in children: are they good indicators of dietary adequacy' in Public Health Nutrition, evaluating the efficacy of diversity scores as indicators.
claimDietary diversity was assessed through indicators such as the Diet Diversity Score, the Minimum Dietary Diversity indicator for young children, and the Functional Diversity score.
Measurement Of Dietary Diversity Research Articles - Page 1 discovery.researcher.life 2 facts
claimSoumya Gupta and colleagues published research in Food Policy on September 13, 2019, indicating that dietary diversity scores can be improved for international malnutrition early screening.
measurementIn a study of children in the rural–urban interface of Bangalore, India, researchers found no significant association between Dietary Diversity Score (DSS) of all food groups and total body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ), with correlation coefficients between 0.00 and 0.30 and P > 0.05.
Dietary Diversity, Rather Than Quality, Parallels a Reduction in ... tandfonline.com Nov 18, 2024 1 fact
claimDietary diversity, as measured by the novel Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), reduces the risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), according to the study 'Dietary Diversity, Rather Than Quality, Parallels a Reduction in ...'.
Dietary Diversity and Its Association with Diet Quality and Health ... researchgate.net Mar 15, 2026 1 fact
claimThe IFamily Study investigates the association between two dietary diversity indices, specifically the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the food variety score (FVS), and the diet quality and health status of European children, adolescents, and adults.
Dietary diversity indicators: cultural preferences and health outcomes researchgate.net Dec 24, 2025 1 fact
claimThe authors of the editorial 'Dietary diversity indicators: cultural preferences and health outcomes' evaluated the relationship between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and mortality from all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer in an adult Mediterranean population.