Knowledge Tree
Dietary Patterns
Also known as: dietary patterns, eating patterns
Facts (90)
Sources
Measurement of diets that are healthy, environmentally sustainable ... frontiersin.org 34 facts
claimThe research team developed four typologies to categorize dietary patterns: observed or approximated current diets, diet scores or indices, dietary pattern archetypes, and statistically estimated or modeled diets.
measurementNearly half of the publications (19 of 42, 45.2%) compared an observed or approximated 'current' diet to one or more statistically estimated or simulated diets.
procedureThe authors of the paper systematically reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2021 to determine how many studies include social and economic indicators in their analysis of dietary patterns, what analytical approaches and metrics are used to address social and economic concerns, and what conceptual and empirical gaps impede target-setting and policy change.
claimResearch published since 2015 concludes that current average dietary patterns are unsustainable in terms of both environmental and health outcomes.
claimTrue cost accounting frameworks, which seek to price-in environmental and human externalities to the cost of dietary patterns, are currently often poorly defined and measured.
measurementStudies in Switzerland and Spain estimate that alternative, healthier diets would not increase in cost and might even decrease in cost compared to current dietary patterns.
procedureDietary patterns must be characterized by per-capita food consumption data, food consumption proxy data, or be a simulated estimate of a dietary pattern.
claimDietary pattern archetypes include reference diets like the USDA Food Patterns, the EAT-Lancet pattern, and the Mediterranean pattern, as well as patterns like vegan or flexitarian diets which may have wide variability in definition or lack an evidence base.
measurementThe average number of dietary patterns identified per publication was 5.4 (SD = 6.6, min = 1, max = 36).
claimMost dietary patterns used in the studies reviewed were statistically estimated or simulated rather than observed.
referenceAuestad and Fulgoni (2015) reviewed literature linking dietary patterns, environmental sustainability, and economics in Advances in Nutrition.
claimThe literature linking dietary patterns to human and planetary health is expanding rapidly, with an increasing number of analyses integrating interactions across multiple domains.
procedureTo be included in the study, research needed to examine at least one dietary pattern in relation to at least two outcomes from distinct sustainability pillars: environment, health, economic, and social.
claimStudies included in the review must have examined at least two of four sustainability pillars in relation to an eligible dietary pattern or a change in a dietary pattern.
claimResearch on the impacts of dietary patterns on human and planetary health is a rapidly growing field.
measurementIn a review of 42 studies, 21.4% (nine studies) examined one dietary pattern, 11.9% (five studies) examined two, 9.5% (four studies) examined three, 26.2% (11 studies) examined four, 9.5% (four studies) examined five, 2.4% (one study) examined six, and 19.1% (eight studies) examined seven or more dietary patterns.
procedureThe research team extracted the following data from each publication: publication information (author, title, year, journal), the pillars represented (health, environment, economic, social), the country of data collection, the name and construction of the dietary pattern, the typology of the dietary pattern, the total number of dietary patterns examined, and the name and unit of measurement for each outcome.
claimMany analyses of healthy diets claim 'global' implications despite significant variations in diets and disease patterns in regions like rural Africa or South Asia compared to the rest of the world.
claimCurrent dietary patterns in the reviewed studies were typically constructed as average intakes derived from nationally representative or sub-population surveys.
claimIn the context of this review, outcomes are defined as endpoints, which are variables assessed to document the positive or negative effects of exposure to a dietary pattern or a change in a dietary pattern.
claimShifting dietary patterns involves tradeoffs between policy goals, such as a shift to plant-based foods reducing greenhouse gas emissions while potentially resulting in higher water usage.
referenceA dietary pattern is defined as the quantities, proportions, variety, or combination of different foods, drinks, and nutrients in diets, and the frequency with which they are habitually consumed.
claimCurrent dietary patterns in the reviewed studies included unique patterns such as vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or flexitarian, though these are defined differently across studies, complicating like-for-like comparisons.
claimResearch modeling the linkages between diets, health, and the environment has evolved from single-issue pairings, such as diet-climate or diet-disease, to complex modeling that integrates multiple interactions across various exposures and outcomes.
referenceReinhardt et al. (2020) conducted a systematic review of dietary patterns and sustainability in the United States in Advances in Nutrition.
measurementSix papers (14.3%) in the review compared an observed or approximated 'current' diet to one or more dietary pattern archetypes.
claimFood systems simultaneously generate significant greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, underpin dietary patterns associated with a global escalation of non-communicable diseases, leave millions undernourished, and allow for the exploitation of food system workers.
procedureThe authors of the study excluded publications if they did not pair dietary patterns with at least two pillars of interest, were not in the English language, or applied methodological approaches that did not allow for direct comparison among studies.
procedureResearchers in the reviewed studies tested a priori hypotheses by either replacing specific food groups (e.g., animal-source foods with plant-source foods) or whole dietary patterns, or by using mathematical optimization to model theoretical diets and assess their performance against specified outcomes.
claimRecent publications in the review typically compare an 'improved' dietary pattern (based on optimization models, national dietary guidelines, or reference diets) with a 'current' dietary pattern (usually assessed as an average from national survey data).
measurementThe research team identified a total of 226 dietary patterns from the 42 papers retained for full analysis, with 65.9% of these patterns being statistically estimated or simulated diets.
claimResearchers frequently compared current dietary patterns with named reference diets such as the Mediterranean Diet, New Nordic diet, or EAT-Lancet Diet, or assessed them against national dietary guidelines.
claimResearch on the linkages between dietary patterns and human/planetary health informs policy-level actions and investments needed to meet climate-related emissions targets, tackle malnutrition, support 'nature positive' actions to preserve ecosystem services, and promote a just transition to inclusive food systems governance.
claimDietary patterns must measure and incorporate at least three food items or groups to be eligible for inclusion in the review; studies examining only a single food item or group, such as sugar-sweetened beverages or meat consumption, were excluded.
Western pattern diet - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 9 facts
claimMedical researchers classify individuals into dietary patterns, such as 'drinker' or 'meat-eater', by ranking how closely their diets align with specific patterns rather than using binary 'following' or 'not following' classifications.
referenceA 2006 study by Kesse, Clavel-Chapelon, and Boutron-Ruault found that dietary patterns are associated with the risk of colorectal tumors in a cohort of French women from the National Education System (E3N).
referenceHeidemann et al. (2008) conducted a prospective cohort study of women finding associations between dietary patterns and the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes.
referenceHarvey A. Levenstein's 1988 book 'Revolution at the Table: The Transformation of the American Diet' documents changes in dietary advice and eating patterns in the United States between 1880 and 1930.
procedureResearchers analyze dietary patterns by comparing health outcomes between the group that most closely follows a specific dietary pattern and the group that least closely follows that same pattern.
referenceFung et al. (2003) studied the relationship between major dietary patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer in women.
referenceYang et al. (2012) conducted a systematic review on the relationship between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity in children within Asian developing countries.
referenceAshima K. Kant (2004) reviewed the relationship between dietary patterns and health outcomes.
referenceThe 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide information on current eating patterns in the United States and recommended dietary shifts.
History of modern nutrition science—implications for current ... bmj.com Jun 13, 2018 6 facts
claimThe health effects of diet patterns reflect joint contributions and interactions between carbohydrate quality (glycaemic index, fibre content), fatty acid profiles, protein types, micronutrients, phytochemicals, food structure, preparation and processing methods, and additives.
claimPhysiological intervention trials, large cohort studies, and randomised clinical trials provide more consistent evidence for diet patterns, such as Mediterranean and similar food-based patterns, compared to single nutrient studies.
claimThe recognition of the importance of overall diet patterns has led to a variety of empirical, commercial, and popular dietary patterns, including flexitarian, vegetarian, vegan, low carb, paleo, and gluten-free diets.
claimSingle nutrient theories are inadequate to explain many effects of diet on non-communicable diseases, pushing the field of nutrition science beyond the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) framework and toward the complex biological effects of foods and diet patterns.
claimClinical trials in nutrition science have been used to test specific questions in targeted, high-risk populations, particularly regarding the effects of isolated vitamin supplements and specific diet patterns.
claimCohort studies in nutrition science provided the first individual-level, multivariable-adjusted findings on nutrients, foods, diet patterns, and health outcomes.
Health and environmental impacts of diets worldwide globalnutritionreport.org 6 facts
claimThe EAT-Lancet Commission's dietary recommendations provide ranges of intake for all major food groups that allow for the adoption of various dietary patterns and culinary traditions.
claimCurrent global dietary patterns are neither healthy nor sustainable.
claimCurrent dietary patterns globally and in most regions are neither healthy nor sustainable.
claimDietary patterns that align with healthy and sustainable recommendations are associated with improvements in diet-related disease mortality, nutritional adequacy, and environmental sustainability, according to research cited in the 2021 Global Nutrition Report.
claimHealthy and sustainable dietary patterns exceed the standards set by existing national food-based dietary guidelines and the World Health Organization guidelines regarding diet-related disease mortality, nutritional adequacy, and environmental sustainability.
claimHealthy and sustainable dietary patterns are currently more affordable than typical Western diets in high- and middle-income countries.
A Consensus Proposal for Nutritional Indicators to Assess ... - Frontiers frontiersin.org 5 facts
claimNational Dietary Surveys often fail to reflect portion size, which is a factor in the increase of overweight and obesity associated with changes in dietary patterns in children and adults.
referenceNaska, Fouskakis, Oikonomou, Almeida, Berg, Gedrich, and others published 'Dietary patterns and their socio-demographic determinants in ten European countries' in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006, utilizing data from the DAFNE databank.
claimNational IDS (Individual Dietary Surveys) using food diaries or dietary recalls are considered the best method for assessing actual dietary energy intake, dietary patterns, and evaluating diet-disease associations.
claimIndicators are necessary to evaluate the impact of dietary patterns on long-term health status, specifically regarding the pathogenesis and incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases.
referenceBaroni, L., Cenci, L., Tettamanti, M., and Berati, M. authored the paper 'Evaluating the environmental impact of various dietary patterns combined with different food production systems,' published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007.
Global dietary quality in 185 countries from 1990 to 2018 show wide ... nature.com Sep 19, 2022 5 facts
claimResearchers quantified global, regional, and national dietary patterns among children and adults across 185 countries between 1990 and 2018 using data from the Global Dietary Database project.
claimThe study assessed subnational differences in dietary patterns by age, sex, education, and urbanicity, providing the first global estimates of dietary patterns by educational attainment and urban versus rural residence.
claimOverall dietary patterns are more strongly associated with health than individual foods and nutrients because of the interactive and synergistic relationships between foods and nutrients when consumed together.
claimA global assessment of dietary patterns across 185 countries in 1990 and 2018 found modest overall dietary quality, with variation by age, sex, education, urbanicity, time, world region, and dietary component.
referenceX. Chen, B. Maguire, H. Brodaty, and F. O’Leary conducted a systematic review on the relationship between dietary patterns and cognitive health in older adults, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in 2019.
Dietary Guidelines and Quality - Principles of Nutritional Assessment nutritionalassessment.org 3 facts
referenceNutritional assessment researchers utilize two general approaches to define dietary patterns: 'a priori' dietary patterns, which assess diet relative to pre-defined criteria like national or global recommendations, and 'a posteriori' (or exploratory) dietary patterns, which are data-driven and examine clustering of diet characteristics within a specific study sample.
referenceWidely used diet quality metrics include the U.S. Healthy Eating Index (which measures adherence to national food-based dietary guidelines), Mediterranean diet scores and indices (which measure adherence to healthy regional diets), and other measures based on epidemiological evidence linking dietary patterns to health outcomes.
referenceReduced rank regression is a hybrid approach to defining dietary patterns that combines 'a priori' identification of characteristics with data-driven identification of patterns.
Unknown source 3 facts
claimNutrition research has evolved from the era of vitamin discovery in the early 20th century to current research focusing on the complex effects of dietary patterns.
referenceThe review titled 'Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease' describes the features and supporting clinical and epidemiologic data for various diets to better understand the current concept of a 'healthy diet.'
claimComprehensive metrics that measure dietary patterns at global and national levels are required to inform and assess the effectiveness of public health policies.
A Scoping Review of Indicators for Sustainable Healthy Diets frontiersin.org Jan 12, 2022 3 facts
referenceVan Dooren et al. (2014) compared six dietary patterns to explore dietary guidelines based on ecological and nutritional values.
claimDeveloping valid food- and diet-related measures of diet quality is difficult due to the variety of dietary patterns observed globally.
claimThe use of carbon footprint as an environmental indicator in studies on dietary patterns is often justified by its widespread adoption in the field.
Implications of the Western Diet for Agricultural Production, Health ... frontiersin.org 2 facts
claimCurrent dietary patterns cause an acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions, increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and an expansion of land-use change to satisfy the demand for highly processed food products and sugary drinks.
referenceVázquez-Rowe et al. (2017) estimated the carbon footprint of dietary patterns in Peru to identify opportunities for climate change mitigation.
Nutritional Evolution – Human Origin and Evolution ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in 2 facts
claimThe examination of dietary patterns in other primates and the analogy with the behavior of modern hunter-gatherers provide important information about the diet of early hominids.
claimResearchers infer the dietary patterns of ancestral human populations by examining hominid skeletal remains, specifically teeth and jaws, and archaeological sites containing animal bones and stone tools.
Global overview of dietary outcomes and dietary intake assessment ... link.springer.com Aug 21, 2021 1 fact
claimAdvanced statistical methods, such as factor analysis for dietary patterns, and complex indicators, such as the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) or Dietary Diversity (DD), are useful for analyzing the association between dietary intakes and non-communicable diseases in maritime settings.
Dietary diversity insufficiently explains differences in prevalence of ... journals.plos.org 1 fact
referenceMayén et al. (2014) conducted a systematic review of socioeconomic determinants of dietary patterns in low- and middle-income countries.
Associations between dietary diversity and self-rated health in a ... link.springer.com Feb 28, 2025 1 fact
claimDietary patterns in Uganda provide insights into the nutrition transition and environmental sustainability of diets, according to a 2019 study by Auma et al.
Western pattern diet | Nutrition and Dietetics | Research Starters ebsco.com 1 fact
procedureExperts recommend changing eating patterns by making gradual shifts, such as increasing whole grains to add fiber, reducing processed food, and substituting red meat with fish, chicken, or plant proteins like beans.
Diet Quality Indices: Measures for Bridging Nutrition and Public Health link.springer.com 2 days ago 1 fact
referenceWingrove et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review of methods used to assess and report dietary patterns.
The Dietary Patterns Methods Project: Synthesis of Findings across ... sciencedirect.com 1 fact
claimThe Dietary Patterns Methods Project (DPMP) was initiated in 2012 with the goal of strengthening research evidence regarding dietary indices, dietary patterns, and health.
True Health Intiative: Scientific Consensus on a Healthy Diet nutritionfacts.org Jul 31, 2025 1 fact
claimApproximately 80% of chronic disease and premature death could be prevented by not smoking, being physically active, and adhering to a healthful dietary pattern.
[PDF] Measurement of diets that are healthy, environmentally sustainable ... scienceopen.com Apr 3, 2023 1 fact
claimThe review article 'Measurement of diets that are healthy, environmentally sustainable...' examines research that positions dietary patterns at the center of feedback loops linking climate, ecology, and human health.
Modern Diet and its Impact on Human Health - Longdom Publishing longdom.org 1 fact
claimAs countries become increasingly urbanized and industrialized, their food systems and dietary patterns change rapidly.
Measuring Global Dietary Diversity by Considering Nutritional ... mdpi.com 1 fact
claimThe study 'Measuring Global Dietary Diversity by Considering Nutritional' reports that notable regional disparities in dietary quality are influenced by dietary patterns.
Nutritional potential of underutilized edible plant species in coffee ... link.springer.com Apr 23, 2021 1 fact
referenceSeyoum Keflie T, Samuel A, Lambert C, Nohr D, and Biesalski HK published 'Dietary Patterns and Risk of Micronutrient Deficiencies: their Implication for Nutritional Intervention in Ethiopia' in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Food Science in 2018.
Food Consumption Changes in The Ruler Tribal Community bioresscientia.com Feb 15, 2025 1 fact
claimNutritional behavior, eating patterns, and habits significantly impact human longevity, healthy aging, and disease development.