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Improving The US Food Environment Through Reformulation: A Comparison Of Two Nutrient Profiling Models
Author(s) -
Masset Gabriel,
Vlassopoulos Antonis,
Potter Monika,
Leroy Fabienne,
Vecchio Bianca Maria
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.903.14
Subject(s) - ice cream , cohen's kappa , profiling (computer programming) , kappa , statistic , food group , medicine , food science , environmental health , statistics , mathematics , chemistry , computer science , geometry , operating system
Background Few nutrient profiling (NP) models have been specifically developed for reformulation purposes. Objective To compare how the NNPS and Ofcom NP models, respectively designed for reformulation and regulation purposes, classified foods consumed in the US. Methods The across‐the‐board Ofcom and the category‐specific NNPS models were applied to all ice creams, pizzas, soups, and yogurts of the USDA SR27 database. Both models have a dichotomous Yes/No outcome. Classification of foods across categories was assessed using chi2 tests. Agreement between the systems was assessed using the kappa statistic, for all foods and by category. Results Overall, and in all categories but pizzas, more foods were classified 'Yes' by the Ofcom than by the NNPS ( Table ). Contrary to the NNPS (p‐chi2=0.59), the Ofcom classified differently the four categories (p<0.01): all yogurts were classified 'Yes' while most pizzas were 'No'. Across all foods, agreement was relatively low between the two systems; it was higher for ice creams and pizzas. Table: Classification of foods according to the NNPS and Ofcom nutrient profiling systems (USDA SR27 data)Food category n % Yes, NNPS % Yes, Ofcom Kappa‐statisticIce Creams 43 16 28 0.54 Pizzas 75 23 15 0.30 Soups 282 25 72 0.06 Yogurts 25 28 100 N/A Total 425 24 59 0.13Conclusion In the assessed food categories, the NNPS model was more inclined to promote reformulation than the Ofcom model. Further research is needed to assess other food categories in which manufactured goods are predominant in the food environment. Confirmatory investigations should focus on food environment from other regions, or for specific target populations.