Dietary factors are major contributors to morbidity and mortality, and significant attention is being paid to interventions to support healthy eating, including through the creation of a healthier food supply. The objective of this study was to inform interventions to support healthy eating by examining the top dietary sources of calories, sodium, sugars, and saturated fats among Canadians in relation to sex, age, and income. We drew upon data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey, which collected interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recalls from Canadians who were 1 year of age and older (n = 20 176), residing in the 10 provinces. Foods and beverages were grouped into 91 mutually exclusive categories (e.g., 100% fruit juice, fruit drinks). On the basis of the average proportion contributed, the top 20 sources of each dietary component were identified for all individuals and by sex–age and income groups. The mean amount of each dietary component contributed by each category (per capita and per consumer) and the proportions of persons consuming items in each category were also examined. Top sources included commonly consumed items (e.g., breads and flatbreads as sources of sodium), as well as those high in a given dietary component (e.g., soda as a source of sugars). Several food and beverage categories were top contributors to more than one dietary component examined, suggesting possible priorities for intervention and future analyses. The identification of major sources of calories and nutrients of concern can inform population health efforts, such as reformulation, to improve the health of Canadians.

Choosing the most appropriate dietary assessment tool for a study can be a challenge. Through a scoping review, we characterized self-report tools used to assess diet in Canada to identify patterns in tool use and to inform strategies to strengthen nutrition research. The research databases Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were used to identify Canadian studies published from 2009 to 2014 that included a self-report assessment of dietary intake. The search elicited 2358 records that were screened to identify those that reported on self-report dietary intake among nonclinical, non-Aboriginal adult populations. A pool of 189 articles (reflecting 92 studies) was examined in-depth to assess the dietary assessment tools used. Food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and screeners were used in 64% of studies, whereas food records and 24-h recalls were used in 18% and 14% of studies, respectively. Three studies (3%) used a single question to assess diet, and for 3 studies the tool used was not clear. A variety of distinct FFQs and screeners, including those developed and/or adapted for use in Canada and those developed elsewhere, were used. Some tools were reported to have been evaluated previously in terms of validity or reliability, but details of psychometric testing were often lacking. Energy and fat were the most commonly studied, reported by 42% and 39% of studies, respectively. For ∼20% of studies, dietary data were used to assess dietary quality or patterns, whereas close to half assessed ≤5 dietary components. A variety of dietary assessment tools are used in Canadian research. Strategies to improve the application of current evidence on best practices in dietary assessment have the potential to support a stronger and more cohesive literature on diet and health. Such strategies could benefit from national and global collaboration.

There is currently considerable attention directed to identifying promising interventions to reduce consumption of sugars among populations around the world. A review of systematic reviews was conducted to identify gaps in the evidence on such interventions. Medline, EMBASE CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to identify systematic reviews published in English from January 2005 to May 2017 and considering research on interventions to reduce sugar intake. Twelve systematic reviews that considered price changes, interventions to alter the food available within specific environments, and health promotion and education programs were examined. Each of the identified reviews focused on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The existing literature provides some promising indications in terms of the potential of interventions to reduce SSB consumption among populations. However, a common thread is the limited scope of available evidence, combined with the heterogeneity of methods and measures used in existing studies, which limits conclusions that can be reached regarding the effectiveness of interventions. Reviewed studies typically had limited follow-up periods, making it difficult to assess the sustainability of effects. Further, there is a lack of studies that address the complex context within which interventions are implemented and evaluated, and little is known about the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Identified gaps speak to the need for a more holistic approach to sources of sugars beyond SSBs, consensus on measures and methods, attention to the implementation of interventions in relation to context, and careful monitoring to identify intended and unintended consequences.

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Background Menu labelling, and more specifically calorie labelling, has been posited as an intervention to improve nutrition literacy and the healthfulness of consumers’ food purchases. However, there is some concern calorie labelling may unintentionally trigger or exacerbate disordered eating among vulnerable persons. The purpose of this research was to explore young adults’ experiences with labelling, with a focus on its implications for their relationships with food. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from a campus-based menu labelling study. Interview data were inductively coded using thematic analysis and supported by survey data assessing disordered eating, body esteem, and related constructs. Results The sample consisted of 13 participants (10 women, 3 men), most of whom perceived themselves as “about the right weight” (62%). Four key themes included: (1) participants’ support of and skepticism about labelling interventions, (2) the identification of knowledge and autonomy as mechanisms of labelling interventions, (3) the role of the individual’s and others’ relationships with food in experiences with labelling, and (4) disordered eating and dieting as lenses that shape experiences with interventions. Participants’ perceptions of and experiences with calorie labels were shaped by gender, body esteem, and disordered eating risk. Conclusions The results provide insight into the complexity of young adults’ interactions with labelling interventions and context for future research exploring the unintended consequences of public health nutrition interventions.

Background Technological innovations allow for collection of 24-h recalls (24HRs) in a broader range of studies than previously possible. The web-based Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) has been shown to be feasible and to perform well in capturing true intake among adults. However, data to inform use with children are limited. Objective This observational feeding study was conducted to evaluate children's ability to accurately report a lunchtime meal using ASA24 without assistance. Methods The study was conducted among children (n = 100) aged 10–13 y within a school setting. Students were served an individual cheese pizza, baby carrots, ranch dip, yogurt, a cookie, and 1 choice of water, juice, or milk. Plate waste was collected and weighed. The next day, participants completed ASA24 and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine match rates by food item and age, and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and accuracy of reported energy and nutrient intake. Associations between true and reported energy and nutrient intakes and portion sizes were assessed with use of t tests. Results Just under half (49%) of children fully completed ASA24 (median time, 41 min). Children reported an exact, close, or far match for 58% of all foods and beverages consumed, ranging from 29% for dip to 76% for pizza, but also reported some items not consumed as part of the study meal. Older children completed the recall in a shorter time than younger children (mean 31 among 13 y compared with 52 min among 10 y). Intakes of energy (39%), protein (33%), and sodium (78%) were significantly overestimated, whereas portion sizes for cookies (53%) and juice (69%) were underestimated. Conclusions Children can report some foods and drinks consumed using ASA24, but our findings suggest challenges with independent completion, necessitating research to examine strategies, such as training and resources, to support data quality.