Developing nutrient profile models: a systematic approach

AbstractObjectiveNutrient profiling can be defined as the ‘the science of categorising foods according to their nutritional composition’. The purpose of the present paper is to describe a systematic and logical approach to nutrient profiling.DesignA seven-stage decision-making process is proposed and, as an illustration of how the approach might operate in practice, the development of a nutrient profiling model for the purpose of highlighting breakfast cereals that are ‘high in fat, sugar or salt’ is described.ResultsThe nutrient profile model developed for this paper calculates scores for foods using a simple equation. It enables breakfast cereals to be compared with each other and with other foods eaten at breakfast.ConclusionNutrient profiling is not new, but hitherto most nutrient profiling models have been developed in an unsystematic and illogical fashion. Different nutrient profiling models are needed for different purposes but a key requirement should be that they are developed using a systematic, transparent and logical process. This paper provides an example of such a process; approaches to validating nutrient profiling models are described elsewhere.

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Effective Decision Making in a Life Company

British Actuarial Journal ◽

10.1017/s1357321700003172 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 133-166

Author(s):

M. Iqbal

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Decision Theory ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Recent Past ◽

Past Life ◽

Effective Decision ◽

Effective Decision Making ◽

Value Measurement

ABSTRACTIn the recent past life companies have made many decisions which they have had cause to deeply regret. This paper looks at the range of decision making theories available. It then examines recent examples of decisions that had unfavourable consequences and explores why they were taken, and goes on to describe a systematic approach to decision making which can help management assess more objectively the difficult choices confronting them today. The approach does not require espousal of any specific decision theory or method of value measurement. The focus is on the decision making process and the organisation's capacity to handle change. The paper identifies the three requirements for effective decision making.

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To Return or Not to Return

Journal of International Students ◽

10.32674/jis.v11i2.2115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Thai Quoc Cao ◽

Quynh Kim Chieu

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Expected Utility ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Decision Making Process

Amidst the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, many overseas Vietnamese students have decided to return to Vietnam to seek protection from illness. However, the decision to return or not to return in such a risky context requires intensive thinking about the outcomes of each possible choice. The aim of this reflection paper is to explore the personal considerations and dilemmas during the decision-making process of two Vietnamese students in the Netherlands using the expected utility framework. The experience of applying a systematic approach to assess risky situations not only informs decisions more comprehensively but also provides an opportunity to look deeply at one's values and interests.

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A Systematic Approach to Re-Using of Used or Out-of-Service Static Equipment

Volume 7: Operations, Applications and Components ◽

10.1115/pvp2016-63961 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Kaveh Ebrahimi

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Life Extension ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Correct Identification ◽

End User ◽

Hydrocarbon Production ◽

Major Equipment ◽

Extension Evaluation

The constant uncertainty within the hydrocarbon production and refining market coupled with the continued pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs is increasing the need for operators of petroleum facilities to seek cost-effective ways of utilizing used or out-of-service equipment instead of installing new equipment. As an example, there may be equipment in parts of a refinery that have been out of service for a while, which the operator or end user would like to use in similar applications in the same refinery or other plants elsewhere. Once an operator decides to look at the possibility of re-using used or out-of-service equipment, a few important steps need to be taken to determine whether the equipment is still operable and suitable for its new intended service. As inspection, moving or relocating of major equipment within operating plants is usually possible only during planned turnarounds, the correct identification of necessary steps, prioritizing of tasks, and precise planning and coordination of activities to evaluate the condition of used or out-of-service equipment are critical to meet the usual tight deadlines of the decision making process. This article is structured primarily as an attempt to assist the organizations in charge of evaluation of used or out-of-service equipment to identify and plan the necessary steps in order to determine their suitability for their new intended service. Many of the issues discussed here can be also applied to any life extension evaluation program, and therefore throughout this report the term out-of-service is interchangeable with ‘used’ equipment. The focus of this article is mainly static equipment as re-using of machinery or rotating equipment would require a rather different approach [1]. Two case studies included at the end of this report demonstrate the benefits of adopting a systematic approach in evaluating used equipment.

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Policy Design and Non-Design: Towards a Spectrum of Policy Formulation Types

Politics and Governance ◽

10.17645/pag.v2i2.149 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 57-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Michael Howlett ◽

Ishani Mukherjee

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Policy Making ◽

Policy Design ◽

Public Policies ◽

Careful Analysis ◽

Policy Formulation ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Policy Goals ◽

Logical Process

Public policies are the result of efforts made by governments to alter aspects of behaviour—both that of their own agents and of society at large—in order to carry out some end or purpose. They are comprised of arrangements of policy goals and policy means matched through some decision-making process. These policy-making efforts can be more, or less, systematic in attempting to match ends and means in a logical fashion or can result from much less systematic processes. “Policy design” implies a knowledge-based process in which the choice of means or mechanisms through which policy goals are given effect follows a logical process of inference from known or learned relationships between means and outcomes. This includes both design in which means are selected in accordance with experience and knowledge and that in which principles and relationships are incorrectly or only partially articulated or understood. Policy decisions can be careful and deliberate in attempting to best resolve a problem or can be highly contingent and driven by situational logics. Decisions stemming from bargaining or opportunism can also be distinguished from those which result from careful analysis and assessment. This article considers both modes and formulates a spectrum of policy formulation types between “design” and “non-design” which helps clarify the nature of each type and the likelihood of each unfolding.

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The nutritional quality of New Zealand breakfast cereals: an update

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980017002397 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (18) ◽

pp. 3234-3237 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lynne Chepulis ◽

Shaunie Hill ◽

Gael Mearns

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Product Category ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Published Data ◽

Nutritional Content ◽

Breakfast Cereals ◽

Nutrient Profile

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the nutritional quality of New Zealand breakfast cereals in 2013 and 2017.DesignNutrition Information Panel data were collected from all cereals available from two large supermarket chains in 2017 and compared with earlier published data collected in 2013.SettingUrban New Zealand supermarkets.SubjectsThe nutritional content of breakfast cereals (‘biscuits and bites’, ‘brans’, ‘bubbles, flakes and puffs’, ‘children’s cereals’, ‘muesli’ and ‘oats’) was analysed for total energy, protein, fat (total and saturated), carbohydrate, sugar, fibre and Na. The Nutrient Profile Scoring Criterion (NPSC) for each cereal was calculated to determine the proportion of ‘less healthy’ cereals (NPSC≥4) in each product category.ResultsThe energy and fat content of bubbles, flakes and puffs, muesli and oats were significantly higher in 2017 compared with 2013 (all P≤0·01). However, there was a small reduction in Na overall in 2017 (P<0·05). There was no change between 2013 and 2017 in the proportion of ‘healthy’ or ‘less healthy’ breakfast cereals available.ConclusionsThe nutrient profile of breakfast cereals has not improved since 2013, suggesting that industry self-regulation of the nutritional composition of cereals in New Zealand is not working and needs urgent reconsideration.

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Nutrient profiling of ready to eat breakfast cereals reveals substantial differences in macronutrient composition despite similar nutrition claim usage

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120006679 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Aoibhin Moore Heslin ◽

Mengna Yang ◽

Maria Buffini ◽

Anne Nugent ◽

Laura Kehoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sugar Content ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Fibre Content ◽

Health Claims ◽

Specific Information ◽

Food Ingredient ◽

Breakfast Cereals ◽

Nutrient Profile ◽

Nutrition Claims ◽

Nutrient Profiling

AbstractUnder Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 the usage of nutrition and health claims are permitted, however foods that are high in fat, sugars and salt are advised not to use such claims as foods promoted with these claims may influence consumer food choice. The use of nutrient profiles has been proposed as a means of avoiding the potential of such claims masking the overall nutritional status of a product. Ready to eat breakfast cereals (RTEBC) often display nutrition claims whilst also contributing significantly to total sugar and energy intake. The aim of this study was to profile a variety of RTEBC and compare nutrient composition and claim information between nutrient profile categories.The Irish National Food Ingredient database (INFID) is a record of brand specific information from food labels collected during the Irish national food surveys. A convenience sub-sample of RTEBC as eaten by Irish children during the National Children's Food Survey 2 (2017/2018) were selected (n = 102). Nutrient profile (NP) scores were calculated using the UK Nutrient Profiling Model (FSA). NP scores were calculated based on a set of negative macronutrient indicators (energy, saturated fat, total sugars and sodium) minus positive indicators (protein, fibre, “fruit, vegetables and nuts”) present per 100 g. Foods scoring four points or more were classified as “less healthy”.More than half of RTEBC were classed “less healthy” (53%) with a median NP score of 8.0 with “healthy” RTEBC scoring significantly lower at -0.0 (p < 0.001). “Healthy” RTEBC had a median sugar content of 13.4g/100 g compared to 24g/100 g in the “less healthy” (p < 0.001). “Healthy” RTEBC had a higher fibre content of 8.8g/100 g compared to 5.72g/100 g in the “less healthy” (p = 0.001), with 35% of healthy and 28% of less healthy RTEBC making a substantiated “high in fibre” claim. Micronutrient contents of all RTEBC were similar, with only iron significantly higher in “healthy” (13.3mg/100g) compared to “less healthy” (9.5mg/100g) (p = 0.02). The prevalence of substantiated micronutrient related claims was the same between “healthy” and “less healthy” RTEBC.“Healthy” and “less healthy” RTEBC display similar micronutrient profiles, with most of the nutrition claims on both pertaining to the micronutrient and fibre content, potentially overshadowing the macronutrient contribution of the cereals. This analysis shows the ability of nutrient profiling to distinguish products by macronutrient profiles however it identifies the complexity of application with respect to micronutrient content. Further research is required to investigate the contribution of the profiled RTEBC to total nutrient intakes.

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AAC Decision-Making and Mobile Technology: Points to Ponder

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac23.2.104 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 104-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mary Ann Abbott ◽

Debby McBride

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Mobile Technology ◽

Communication System ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Evaluation Process ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Ipod Touch ◽

Feature Match

The purpose of this article is to outline a decision-making process and highlight which portions of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation process deserve special attention when deciding which features are required for a communication system in order to provide optimal benefit for the user. The clinician then will be able to use a feature-match approach as part of the decision-making process to determine whether mobile technology or a dedicated device is the best choice for communication. The term mobile technology will be used to describe off-the-shelf, commercially available, tablet-style devices like an iPhone®, iPod Touch®, iPad®, and Android® or Windows® tablet.

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