Food and Nutrition in the News: Evaluating Nutrition Messages

Stories about food and nutrition are in the news on an almost daily basis, but information can sometimes be confusing and contradictory.  So how do you disentangle fact from fiction and decide whether there is a firm scientific basis to the information presented? As a guide, we recommend you ask yourself some key questions so can you can evaluate new research for yourself. For example:  

• Is the information based on a single study or a review of several studies on the same subject, sometimes called a meta-analysis? Single studies do not provide certainty and, therefore, their findings can’t form the basis of dietary advice or recommendations.

• Is the information based on an observational study? Observational studies are used to find associations, for example whether there is a link between eating a particular food and the development of a particular disease. They do not show cause and effect. Associations may be simply coincidental, so these studies are often the forerunner of further research. 

• Is the information based on human or animal research? Findings from animal studies cannot be translated directly to humans.

• Is the suggested increase in risk statistically significant? Statistical significance is complicated, but gives a measure of how real an association might be. Even if an increase in risk is statistically significant, it is important to evaluate if it is relevant to a particular population.

• Have all influencing factors been considered in the study results? Studies sometimes fail to consider other influencing factors, such as dietary patterns, smoking, age or alcohol intake.

• Is the study of relevance to New Zealand? The study might provide the latest data but out of context to New Zealand. For example, earlier this year, we saw several articles about high fructose corn syrup, which is common in the USA but not found in New Zealand products.

• Does the study raise as many questions as it answers? Good research usually does!

• Linkages to national and international food information networks providing regular updates on nutrition, food safety and media coverage of issues.
• Opportunities to work in partnership with the Foundation on mutually agreed projects and campaigns.
• Access to information independently reviewed by the Foundation’s scientific committee.
• Access to the NZNF networks and resources, providing an impartial, scientific voice of reason.