Dietetic indexes for the assessment of overall diet quality

Abstract

Feeding can act in the prevention of some diseases as well as in the treatment of others. The analysis of food consumption provides information to assess nutritional needs and improve nutrition education programs. Few studies have been carried out in order to perform a global dietary assessment. The dietary indexes have been studied as an alternative to perform this assessment. The objective of this paper is to show some dietary indexes: Nutrient Index, Diet Variety Score, Diet Diversity Score, Diet Quality Index, Healthy Eating Index and Diet Quality Index Revised. These indexes have fundamental importance in the summarization of distinct dietary components in a single variable.

nutrition assessment; food consumption; public health; diet; nutrition