Objectives Identify the current problems that arise when
nutrition information is delivered via the media To have the tools
to decipher a credible source vs incredible source To understand
what is considered evidence-based research
Slide 4
Ice breaker: Identify the credible source vs. the unreliable
source
Slide 5
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled Fat and
Cholesterol, from the Harvard School of Public Health website An
article entitled The Big Fat Truth: Why Nonfat isnt the Answer,
from Fitnessmagazine.com OR
Slide 6
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled Fat and
Cholesterol, from the Harvard School of Public Health website An
article entitled The Big Fat Truth: Why Nonfat isnt the Answer,
from Fitnessmagazine.com OR
Slide 7
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled Fat and
Cholesterol, from the Harvard School of Public Health website An
article entitled The Big Fat Truth: Why Nonfat isnt the Answer,
from Fitnessmagazine.com OR
Slide 8
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled The
Basics of Cholesterol, from webMD.com An article entitled Top Foods
for a Healthy Heart, from eatright.org OR
Slide 9
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled The
Basics of Cholesterol, from webMD.com An article entitled Top Foods
for a Healthy Heart, from eatright.org OR
Slide 10
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled The
Basics of Cholesterol, from webMD.com An article entitled Top Foods
for a Healthy Heart, from eatright.org OR
Slide 11
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled
Artificial Sweeteners: Learn the Dangers and Benefits, from the
medicinenet.com An article entitled Artificial Sweeteners and Other
Sugar Substitutes, from mayoclinic.org OR
Slide 12
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled
Artificial Sweeteners: Learn the Dangers and Benefits, from the
medicinenet.com An article entitled Artificial Sweeteners and Other
Sugar Substitutes, from mayoclinic.org OR
Slide 13
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled
Artificial Sweeteners: Learn the Dangers and Benefits, from the
medicinenet.com An article entitled Artificial Sweeteners and Other
Sugar Substitutes, from mayoclinic.org OR
Slide 14
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled 6
Surprising Health Benefits from Coffee, from mensfitness.com An
article entitled Coffee and Health, from Harvard School of Public
Health OR
Slide 15
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled 6
Surprising Health Benefits from Coffee, from mensfitness.com An
article entitled Coffee and Health, from Harvard School of Public
Health OR
Slide 16
Which is the more credible source? An article entitled 6
Surprising Health Benefits from Coffee, from mensfitness.com An
article entitled Coffee and Health, from Harvard School of Public
Health OR
Slide 17
The Problem The media often reports results of single studies
Stories are often chosen simply because they run contrary to
current health recommendations While the media tries to put things
as simply as possible, scientists try to avoid simplification and
absolutes The term expert has been abused The media is a commercial
enterprise
Slide 18
Types of studies Smaller studies vs Larger studies Reproduced
studies Size and length of time
Slide 19
Evidence-based research Has been evaluated in experimental
studies Evaluations have been subjected to critical peer- review
Often have findings published in peer-reviewed scientific
journals
Slide 20
How nutrition research works established relationship i.e.
regular fruit and vegetable consumption and maintained lower blood
sugars seen by the DASH diet probable link i.e. diets rich with
fruits and vegetables prevent cancer possible link i.e. certain
types of fruits and vegetables are associated with risk of type 2
diabetes
Slide 21
Being a critical reader/viewer Questions to keep in mind when
looking into a studys credibility: How does a given study fit into
the entire body of evidence on a topic? What is the weight of the
evidence? Is the story reporting results of a single study? How
large is the study? Was the study conducted on animals or humans?
How was the study funded? Is the study valid?
Slide 22
10 Red Flags of Junk Science Created by the Food and Nutrition
Science Alliance - a partnership of: o The Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics o American College of Nutrition o American Society for
Nutrition
Slide 23
1.Recommendations that promise a quick fix Often the case with
supplements, fad-foods, weight loss claims
Slide 24
2.) Dire warnings of danger from a single product of regimen
The idea of danger products change year after year- i.e. o Fat
makes you fat o Carbohydrates are toxic o Sugar is white death
Slide 25
3.) Claims that sound too good to be true Goes in hand with the
quick fix the public likes it when the advice is consistent with
what they want to do
Slide 26
4.) Simplistic conclusion drawn from a single study the idea
that studies are black and white consider previous research that
has been done in the past, what we know, and a wide range of
conditions
Slide 27
5.) Recommendations based upon a single study Most likely there
has been previous research done Consider how the study fits with
everything that has been found to date
Slide 28
6.) Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable
scientific organizations Consider Government agencies when looking
for evidenced-based research: o Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention o Food and Drug Administration o Department of
Agriculture o National Institutes of Health o Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics o American Heart Association o American Institute for
Cancer Research
Slide 29
7.) Lists good and bad foods Consider balance and moderations
Foods are not independently good or bad in terms of you should
always eat or never eat There are foods we should eat less
often
Slide 30
8.) Recommendation made to help sell a product Be aware of
sales pitches for supplements Many articles are funded by groups
that clearly have a stake on the outcome
Slide 31
9.) Recommendation based on studies published without peer
review Studies are not credible without being published in a peer-
reviewed journal Reinforces the findings are significant
Slide 32
10.) Recommendations from studies that ignore differences among
individuals or groups One size does not fit all
Slide 33
Your turn to be a critical reader: Split into 2 groups
Determine if the article we give you seems like a credible source
of nutrition information If so, why? If not, why not?