Indexes of overall diet quality: a review

Abstract

This article reviews the published indexes of overall diet quality. Approaches used for measuring overall diet quality include those based on examination of the intake of nutrients, food groups, or a combination of both. A majority of the indexes have been examined in relation to nutrient adequacy only; few have been evaluated for assessment of quality according to current dietary guidelines, namely, a diet relatively low in fat that meets energy and nutrient needs. The indexes of overall diet quality were related to the risk of disease more strongly than individual nutrients or foods.