Overall Nutritional Quality Index: A consumer empowerment tool

Background

Research indicates that a majority of consumers do not understand how to use the information provided on food packages. In addition, the introduction of a number of rating systems developed by supermarkets and food manufacturers further contribute to consumer confusion. The development of a standardized, evidence-based, user friendly system that simplifies complex nutritional information for the consumer is urgently needed.

The Yale Prevention Research Center conducted a study to develop a rating system, The Overall Nutritional Quality Index (ONQI), designed to offer consumers a simple and expedient system for assessing the nutritional quality of foods.

Methods:

The project consisted of the following steps: (1) Review of existing nutritional scoring systems; (2) Development of an algorithm for the classification of food based on their nutritional quality; (3) Content validity testing of the index by comparing the ONQI scores to scores generated by an expert panel of renowned nutritionists on random food lists; and (4) Scoring 15,500 food items and comparing the way the ONQI categorizes foods with the way foods are categorized by other rating systems.

Results:

Results indicate a correlation of 0.919 between the ONQI scores and rankings by the expert panel group on a list of more than 1,000 food items.

Conclusion:

The ONQI represents a comprehensive nutrient profiling model to compare the healthfulness of foods within and across categories. Combined with a robust consumer education component, the system can provide meaningful guidance to consumers at point of purchase. If successful, the ONQI has the potential to contribute to public health efforts towards adult overweight prevention.