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Evaluating intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia using the novel combination of food processing and nutrient profiling metrics of the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia using the novel combination of food processing and nutrient profiling metrics of the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model.

Methods

Dietary intakes of 12,153 participants from the Australian Health Survey (2011–12) aged 2 + years were evaluated. Food items reported during a 24 h recall were classified using the NOVA system. The Pan-American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model (PAHO NPM) was applied to identify processed and ultra-processed products with excessive content of critical nutrients. Differences in mean intakes and prevalence of excessive intakes of critical nutrients for groups of the population whose diets were made up of products with and without excessive content in critical nutrients were examined.

Results

The majority of Australians consumed daily at least three processed and ultra-processed products identified as excessive in critical nutrients according to the PAHO NPM. Individuals consuming these products had higher intakes of free sugars (β = 8.9), total fats (β = 11.0), saturated fats (β = 4.6), trans fats (β = 0.2), and sodium (β = 1788 for adolescents and adults; β = 1769 for children 5–10 years; β = 1319 for children aged < 5 years) (p ≤ 0.001 for all nutrients) than individuals not consuming these foods. The prevalence of excessive intake of all critical nutrients also followed the same trend.

Conclusion

The PAHO NPM has shown to be a relevant tool to predict intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia and, therefore, could be used to inform policy actions aimed at increasing the healthiness of food environments.

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Acknowledgements

The study received support from Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Gates Philanthropy Partners (with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This research is supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project; DP190101323, ‘Reforming evidence synthesis and translation for food and nutrition policy’. PM receives income through an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship provided by Deakin University.

Funding

The study received support from Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Gates Philanthropy Partners (with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This research is supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project; DP190101323, ‘Reforming evidence synthesis and translation for food and nutrition policy’.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia

    Priscila Machado, Julie Woods, Phillip Baker, Sarah Dickie & Mark Lawrence

  2. University of Antioquia, ANT, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín, Colombia

    Gustavo Cediel

  3. Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd St NW, Washington, DC, 20037, USA

    Fabio S. Gomes

  4. School of Agriculture and Food, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, 3010, Australia

    Gyorgy Scrinis

Authors
  1. Priscila Machado
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  2. Gustavo Cediel
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  3. Julie Woods
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  4. Phillip Baker
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  5. Sarah Dickie
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  6. Fabio S. Gomes
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  7. Gyorgy Scrinis
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  8. Mark Lawrence
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Contributions

PM, GC and FSG designed the research; GC developed the first statistical script for data analysis; PM classified foods based on  level of processing, and led the analysis and interpretation of results; all authors supported the interpretation of the data; PM wrote the first draft of the manuscript and was responsible for subsequent revisions; all authors revised each draft for important intellectual content, read and approved the final manuscript. FSG is a staff member of the Pan-American Health Organization. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication, and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of the Pan-American Health Organization.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Priscila Machado.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Availability of data and material

This study was a secondary analysis using de-identified data from the ABS Basic Confidentialised Unit Record Files.

Code availability

Code is available under request from the corresponding author.

Ethics approval

This study was a secondary analysis using de-identified data from the ABS Basic Confidentialised Unit Record Files, and permission to use the data was obtained. Ethics approval for the survey was granted by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing Departmental Ethnics Committee in 2011.

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Machado, P., Cediel, G., Woods, J. et al. Evaluating intake levels of nutrients linked to non-communicable diseases in Australia using the novel combination of food processing and nutrient profiling metrics of the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model. Eur J Nutr 61, 1801–1812 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02740-8

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