Personalising nutritional guidance for more effective behaviour change

Proc Nutr Soc. 2015 May;74(2):130-8. doi: 10.1017/S0029665114001633. Epub 2014 Dec 12.

Abstract

Improving diet and other lifestyle behaviours has considerable potential for reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases, promoting better health across the life-course and increasing wellbeing. However, realising this potential will require the development, testing and implementation of much more effective behaviour change interventions than are used conventionally. Evidence-based, personalised (or stratified) interventions which incorporate effective behaviour change techniques (BCT) and which are delivered digitally are likely to be an important route to scalable and sustainable interventions. Progress in developing such interventions will depend on the outcomes of research on: (i) the best bases for personalisation of dietary advice; (ii) identification of BCT which are proven to enhance intervention efficacy; (iii) suitable platforms (digital-based tools) for collection of relevant participant characteristics (e.g. socioeconomic information, current diet and lifestyle and dietary preferences) linked with intelligent systems which use those characteristics to offer tailored feedback and advice in a cost-effective and acceptable manner. Future research should focus on such interventions aiming to reduce health inequalities and to improve overall public health.

Keywords: BCT behaviour change technique; Behaviour change; Disease prevention; F&V fruit and vegetables; Genotype; NCD common non-communicable diseases; PA physical activity; PN personalised nutrition; Personalised nutrition; Phenotype; PoP Proof of Principle; RCT randomised controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Behavior Therapy / trends
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control*
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy / trends
  • Congresses as Topic
  • Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Life Style*
  • Nutrigenomics / methods
  • Nutrigenomics / trends
  • Nutrition Policy*
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Precision Medicine*
  • Technology Transfer