Micronutrients & recovery
The EAT-Lancet diet score without minimum intake values for nutrient-dense food groups negatively predicts micronutrient adequacy in rural women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries, whereas adding minimum intake values (>0 g/d) reverses this association to a positive one.
When evaluating diet quality in low-resource settings, do not use scoring systems that allow zero consumption of nutrient-dense foods (like meat, dairy, or legumes) to earn points. These scores will falsely label malnourished diets as 'healthy.' Always apply minimum intake thresholds to ensure the score reflects actual nutrient adequacy.
A one-point increase in the EAT–Lancet diet score, without minimum intake values, was associated with a 2·6 (SD 0·7) percentage points decrease in MPA (P < 0·001). In contrast, the EAT–Lancet diet score, with minimum intake values, was associated with a 2·4 (SD 1·3) percentage points increase in MPA (P = 0·07).
Why this rating
Large sample size (n=1950) across five countries, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
EAT–<i>Lancet</i>diet score requires minimum intake values to predict higher micronutrient adequacy of diets in rural women of reproductive age from five low- and middle-income countries
Giles Hanley‐Cook et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2020
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