A statistical method to base nutrient recommendations on meta-analysis of intake and health-related status biomarkers

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adolescent #adult #aged #biomarkers #diet

A statistical method to base nutrient recommendations on meta-analysis of intake and health-related status biomarkers

van et al., 2014 | PLoS One | Meta Analysis

Citation

van der Voet Hilko, de Boer Waldo J, ... van 't Veer Pieter. A statistical method to base nutrient recommendations on meta-analysis of intake and health-related status biomarkers. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e93171. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093171

Abstract

Nutrient recommendations in use today are often derived from relatively old data of few studies with few individuals. However, for many nutrients, including vitamin B-12, extensive data have now become available from both observational studies and randomized controlled trials, addressing the relation between intake and health-related status biomarkers. The purpose of this article is to provide new methodology for dietary planning based on dose-response data and meta-analysis. The methodology builds on existing work, and is consistent with current methodology and measurement error models for dietary assessment. The detailed purposes of this paper are twofold. Firstly, to define a Population Nutrient Level (PNL) for dietary planning in groups. Secondly, to show how data from different sources can be combined in an extended meta-analysis of intake-status datasets for estimating PNL as well as other nutrient intake values, such as the Average Nutrient Requirement (ANR) and the Individual Nutrient Level (INL). For this, a computational method is presented for comparing a bivariate lognormal distribution to a health criterion value. Procedures to meta-analyse available data in different ways are described. Example calculations on vitamin B-12 requirements were made for four models, assuming different ways of estimating the dose-response relation, and different values of the health criterion. Resulting estimates of ANRs and less so for INLs were found to be sensitive to model assumptions, whereas estimates of PNLs were much less sensitive to these assumptions as they were closer to the average nutrient intake in the available data.

Key Findings

Resulting estimates of ANRs and less so for INLs were found to be sensitive to model assumptions, whereas estimates of PNLs were much less sensitive to these assumptions as they were closer to the average nutrient intake in the available data.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers
  • Diet
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Food
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09