Diet Quality Score
Diet Quality Score
Definition: The Dietary Diversity Score assesses the variety of different food groups
consumed over a certain period (usually 24 hours).
Method: Food items are grouped into categories (such as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy,
meat, etc.), and a point is awarded for each group consumed. The more food groups consumed,
the higher the score.
Significance: Higher DDS is associated with better nutrient adequacy and diet quality.
Definition: The Healthy Eating Index measures diet quality based on how well a set of
foods aligns with dietary guidelines or recommendations.
Components: It assesses various aspects such as the intake of fruits, vegetables, grains,
protein, and fats, and penalizes high intake of sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.
Scoring: Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating healthier dietary
patterns. This index is often used in the US but can be adapted to other regions.
Definition: The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio measures how well an individual's nutrient
intake meets the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for specific nutrients (e.g., calcium,
iron, vitamin A).
Significance: A value below 1 indicates a deficiency for that nutrient, while values at or
above 1 indicate adequate intake.
Definition: The Diet Quality Index assesses how closely an individual’s diet follows
dietary recommendations.
Components: It evaluates the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and total
fat intake, and gives a penalty for high intakes of sodium, saturated fats, and cholesterol.
Scoring: A higher score reflects a diet closer to the recommended guidelines, indicating
better quality.
5. Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS)
Definition: The Mediterranean Diet Score evaluates adherence to the Mediterranean diet,
known for its benefits on cardiovascular health.
Scoring: A higher score indicates closer adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern,
which is linked to better health outcomes.
Definition: The Food Variety Score measures the number of different foods consumed
over a specific period (typically a week or month).
Method: It counts individual food items consumed (e.g., counting an apple, orange, and
banana as three different foods).
Significance: A higher FVS reflects greater dietary diversity, which is often linked to
nutrient adequacy.
Definition: Energy Density measures the number of calories per gram of food consumed.
Method: Diets lower in energy density are usually high in water and fiber (such as fruits
and vegetables), while high energy density foods are rich in fat and sugar.
Significance: Lower energy density diets are often linked to healthier body weights and
better overall diet quality.
Definition: The Glycemic Index measures how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods raise
blood sugar levels after consumption.
Significance: Diets high in low-GI foods (such as whole grains, legumes, and non-starchy
vegetables) are considered healthier as they provide more stable energy and are linked to lower
risks of chronic diseases like diabetes.
Definition: This parameter assesses the percentage of calories derived from ultra-processed foods
(such as snacks, sugary drinks, and processed meats) in the total diet.
Significance: Diets high in ultra-processed foods are generally lower in essential nutrients and
linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Definition: The Micronutrient Density Index assesses the concentration of essential vitamins and
minerals per calorie of food consumed.
Significance: Higher micronutrient density is associated with better overall health outcomes, and
this index helps identify whether the diet is providing sufficient nutrients relative to its caloric
content.