The Relationship between Nutrient-Rich Foods (NRF) Index as A Measure of Diet Quality and Malnutrition in Children

Abstract

Background: The assessment of pediatric diet quality is of high interest because food habits that develop in childhood can predict adult diet-related disease. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the Nutrient-Rich Foods (NRF) index score and weight and height status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in primary schools of Tehran, and the NRF9.3 algorithms were used to estimate the nutrient density of the diet of 400 girls, aged 6.5-8.4 years. Dietary data were collected using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire of foods consumed over the past month. Height and weight were measured, and height for age, body mass index (BMI) for age, and weight for age were classified using the World Health Organization's child growth standard Z-scores. Linear regression was used to examine the association between the quintiles of NRF index score and weight for age, height for age, and BMI for age. Results: Liquid oil (P < 0.001), legume (P = 0.037), meat products (P = 0.005), and fruit (P < 0.001) were consumed in higher amounts significantly in the fifth quintile, while sugar & sweet sauce (P < 0.001), snacks (P = 0.002), fats, oil and savoury sauce (P = 0.002) were consumed in lower amounts significantly. A significant relationship between the NRF9.3 index and height for age (P = 0.039) was found, however, it did not follow a trend. The NRF9.3, NR9, and LIM3 scores were unrelated to weight status in childhood. Conclusion: There was no significant association between the NRF9.3 index score and malnutrition in girls, except for height for age. Bias in reporting the dietary intake or defects in the NRF index formula might be the reason for this insignificant result. Prospective studies can better detect the existence of such a relationship.

Association of energy adjusts Nutrient-rich foods (ENRF) on mental health among obese and overweight women: a cross-sectional study

“…[33], This results in an ENRF9.3 score (per 100 kcal) for each food item, meaning a food score of ENRF9.3. (see Table 1) [19]. Therefore, participants with a higher ENRF index score have a healthier dietary pattern than individuals with a lower ENRF index score.…”

“…While a pro-in ammatory diet increases the risk of adverse mental health consequences[17] such as high-fat meals could intensify stress [18].Diet quality, which encompasses adequacy or su ciency, moderation, diversity, and balance or equilibrium of nutrient and food intakes, is also critical to mental health [12]. One of the Nutrient quality models is the nutrientrich food(NRF) index [19]. The NRF index, unlike the quality of the general diet index, similar to the healthy eating index(HEI), has been tested and validated [20,21].…”

“…The NRF 9.3 index is based on 9 nutrients that are encouraged, and 3 nutrients that are restricted [22]. The association between the NRF index, all-cause mortality, incident cardiovascular diseases[23], various anthropometric measures [24], and malnutrition in children [19] have been assessed. No study has been performed on the Association of Nutrient-rich foods on mental health among obese and overweight women, therefore a cross-sectional study has been designed to determine this relationship.…”

Penyederhanaan Informasi Nilai Gizi Pangan Olahan Menggunakan Indeks Nutrient-Rich Foods

“…Indeks NRF n,3 merupakan metode penilaian produk pangan berdasarkan pemenuhan sejumlah n zat gizi yang dianjurkan dan pemenuhan 3 zat gizi yang dibatasi (lemak jenuh, gula tambahan, dan natrium) dalam pangan tersebut (Drewnowski dan Fulgoni 2011). Penelitian terkait indeks NRF n,3 telah dilakukan di berbagai negara, antara lain: Amerika Serikat (Drewnowski 2005), Prancis (Darmon et al 2005), Belanda (Sluik et al 2015), Turki (Dikmen et al 2015), Republik Ceko (Suchancova et al 2015), dan Iran (Khankan et al 2018). Di Indonesia penelitian terkait indeks NRF n,3 belum dilakukan.…”

Designing a healthy, low-cost and environmentally sustainable food basket: an optimisation study

“…The development of NRF index scores involves several methodological issues, including the selection of key nutrients, the choice of RDA and the basis of calculation (per 100 g, 418•4 kJ or portion sizes) (26,27) . The NRF index has been used to assess Iranian diets in previous studies (28,29) . In the present study, NRF was calculated in 100 g of food items and based on nineteen nutrients encouraged and three nutrients limited.…”