[en] Nutritional profiling is defined as ‘the science of categorizing foods according to their nutritional composition’ and it is useful for food labelling and regulation of health claims. The evidence for the link between nutrients and health outcomes was reviewed. A reduced salt intake reduces blood pressure, but only a few randomized controlled trials have verified the effect of salt on overall and cardiovascular mortality. Evidence linking a reduced fat intake with cardiovascular mortality and obesity is generally nonsignificant. Studies that have examined the relationship between obesity and diet have produced contrasting results. A simulation exercise that demonstrated that the impact of a reduced salt and fat intake on overall mortality would be negligible in the European population was carried out. Consideration of the literature and the results of this simulation exercise suggest that the introduction of nutritional profiles in Europe would be expected to have a very limited impact on health outcomes.
Foltran, Francesca; Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Verduci, Elvira; Department of Paediatrics, San Paolo Hospital and University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Ghidina, Marco; Zeta Research Ltd, Trieste, Italy
Campoy, Cristina; Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Jany, Klaus-Dieter; Max-Rubner Institute, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food, Centre for Molecular Biology, Karlsruhe, Germany and Wadi International University, Wadi Al-Nasara, Syria
Wildham, Kurt; Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Biasucci, Giacomo; Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
Vögele, Claus ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE)
Halpern, Georges M.; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Gregori, Dario; Laboratories of Epidemiological Methods and Biostatistics, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Language :
English
Title :
Nutritional profiles in a public health perspective: a critical review