termsTerm
Dietary pattern scores (Mediterranean, HEI, AHEI, DASH, WCRF/AICR)
aka Diet quality index, Healthy Eating Index, MedDiet score
Scores that grade a whole diet against a healthy pattern instead of counting single foods. They predict cancer risk and survival better than any individual nutrient.
The Mediterranean diet score, Healthy Eating Index, Alternative Healthy Eating Index, DASH and the WCRF/AICR recommendation adherence score each combine 8-15 components. High versus low adherence is associated with 10-25% lower total cancer incidence and mortality in cohorts, most consistently for colorectal cancer. Pattern scores reduce but do not eliminate confounding; they are also the practical basis for dietary counselling because people eat meals, not nutrients.
Category
Nutrition & lifestyle