CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 248Nutritional Studies and DietChild Nutrition and Water AccessAgriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Dietary species richness as a measure of food biodiversity and nutritional quality of diets

Open access
Lachat, Carl, Raneri, Jessica E., Smith, Katherine Walker, Kolsteren, Patrick, Van Damme, Patrick, Verzelen, Kaat, Penafiel, Daniela, Vanhove, Wouter +9 more·2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.1709194115PMC PMC5776793
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Significance: Current research linking biodiversity and human diets has used metrics without justification from a nutritional point of view. Diet species richness, or a count of the number of different species consumed per day, assesses both nutritional adequacy and food biodiversity of diets for women and children in rural areas. The positive association of food species richness with dietary quality was observed in both the wet and the dry season. Food biodiversity contributes to diet quality in vulnerable populations in areas with high biodiversity. Reporting the number of species consumed during dietary assessment provides a unique opportunity to cut across two critical dimensions of sustainable development—human and environmental health—and complements existing indicators for healthy and sustainable diets.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Dietary species richness (DSR), a count of species consumed per day, was positively associated with micronutrient adequacy in women and children in seven low- and middle-income countries. The authors recommend DSR as a simple cross-cutting indicator linking food biodiversity and diet quality.

Key findings

  • All three food biodiversity indicators were positively associated with mean adequacy ratio (MAR): per z-score increase, MAR rose by 0.03 for species richness (SR), 0.70 for Simpson’s index (D), and 0.52 for functional diversity (FD); standardized coefficients were 0.10, 0.08, and 0.06, respectively (all P < 0.001).
  • SR showed stronger and more consistent associations with diet quality than D or FD; mean SR was lower in children than women (8.24 ± 1.17 vs. 10.19 ± 3.52; P < 0.001).
  • A total of 234 species were consumed; 94% of energy intake was identified at species level. In the wet season, nine species consumed in all countries provided 61% of energy, 10% of vitamin A, 24% of vitamin C, 42% of folate, 51% of iron, 65% of zinc, and 35% of calcium.
  • Adding SR to dietary diversity score (DDS) improved detection of higher nutrient adequacy in women: DDS × SR ≥24 gave sensitivity 81% and specificity 60%, versus DDS ≥5 with sensitivity 42% and specificity 96%.

Methods

  • Existing dietary datasets were identified through a systematic literature review and selected if they used quantitative, comparable 24-h recalls, identified foods/drinks to at least species level, and assessed women and/or children. Wet-season data came from rural Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam; dry-season data also came from Vietnam, Kenya, and Benin; data were collected July 2009–April 2015.
  • Dietary intake data were obtained for n = 3,449 and n = 2,777 participants in wet and dry seasons, respectively; the sample included n = 2,188 women and n = 4,038 children.
  • The study calculated SR, Simpson’s D, and FD from species consumed; MAR from vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, calcium, iron, and zinc; and DDS. Associations were modeled with random-effects linear regression (season fixed, country random), with energy adjustment by the residual method, and cutoffs assessed with ROC curves.

Limitations

  • Stated: nutrient-composition data were missing for some foods, species, and varieties, so values from similar foods were substituted; a single 24-h recall per subject does not capture within-person variability or usual intake; data came from rural areas of middle-income countries where locally produced food dominates, so validity in urban, high-income, or highly processed-food diets is uncertain; food-source information (own production, market, wild) was not included, so the relative contribution of agricultural versus wild biodiversity could not be assessed.
  • Stated: previous studies have misidentified 6–10% of species, and species-level identification can be challenging.
  • Evident from the text: the analysis is observational and cross-sectional, so the positive associations cannot establish causality.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1709194115

Cites

34 of 34 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 24 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The area under the curve for DDS, SR, and DDS × SR to define MAR ≥50% was comparable for both women and children.

    “The area under the curve for DDS, SR, and DDS × SR to define MAR ≥50% was comparable for both women and children (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    MAR was comparable for children and women.

    “MAR was comparable for children and women (0.61 ± 0.09 vs. 0.63 ± 0.06; P = 0.85; Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Mean species richness was lower in children than in women.

    “mean SR was lower in children than in women (8.24 ± 1.17 vs. 10.19 ± 3.52; P < 0.001)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    All three food biodiversity indicators were positively associated with MAR.

    “All three food biodiversity indicators were positively associated with MAR (Fig. 1).”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “All three biodiversity indicators assessed food biodiversity in the diet and were positively associated with micronutrient adequacy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The best cutoff to define a diet with higher nutrient adequacy was an MAR of 50%.

    “The best cutoff to define a diet with higher nutrient adequacy was an MAR of 50% (SI Appendix, Table S7).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 31
  • May combine two claims. 24

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Dietary intake data were obtained for 3,449 participants during the wet season and 2,777 participants during the dry season.

    “Dietary intake data were obtained for n = 3,449 (55%) and n = 2,777 participants during the wet and dry season, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Overall, 58% of species were consumed only in a single country in the wet season and 40% in the dry season.

    “Overall, 58% (n = 143) and 40% (n = 98) of species were consumed only in a single country in the wet and dry season, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Of all species, 53% were consumed during both seasons, 40% were unique to the wet season, and 7% were unique to the dry season.

    “Of all species, 53% (n = 125) were consumed during both seasons and 40% (n = 93) and 7% (n = 16) of the species were unique to the wet or dry season, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The quantity of staple food consumption was only marginally higher in the dry season.

    “The quantity of staple food consumption was only marginally higher in the dry season.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Per increase in SR, D, or FD z score, MAR increased, on average, by 0.03, 0.7, and 0.52, respectively.

    “Per increase in SR, D, or FD z score, MAR increased, on average, by 0.03, 0.7, and 0.52, respectively (Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Foods that were not assigned to a food group of the DDS were consumed in small quantities of about 5 g/d.

    “Those foods that were not assigned to a food group of the DDS were consumed in small quantities (∼5 g/d) (SI Appendix, Table S2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and calcium, nutrient adequacy increased by 0.07 per additional species consumed; for iron and zinc, by 0.02 and 0.05, respectively.

    “For vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and calcium, nutrient adequacy increased by 0.07 and for iron and zinc by 0.02 and 0.05, respectively (all P < 0.001) per additional species consumed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    NAR were comparable, except for vitamin A, which was particularly higher in the wet season.

    “NAR were also comparable, except for vitamin A, which was particularly higher in the wet season (SI Appendix, Table S3).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The dry season and being a woman were associated with an average increase of 0.03 and 0.01 in MAR per additional species consumed, respectively.

    “The dry season and being a woman were associated with an average increase of 0.03 and 0.01 (both P < 0.001) in MAR per additional species consumed, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The positive association with nutrient adequacy was consistent between countries for SR and FD but less apparent for Simpson's index.

    “The positive association with nutrient adequacy was consistent between the countries for SR (Fig. 3) and FD (SI Appendix, Fig. S1) but less apparent for Simpson’s index (SI Appendix, Fig. S2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Women were mainly of childbearing age, with a mean age of 31.0 years.

    “Women (n = 2,188; 34%) were mainly of childbearing age (mean age: 31.0 ± 11.7 y).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    These nine species provided, on average, 61%, 10%, 24%, 42%, 51%, 65%, and 35% of total energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, zinc, and calcium intakes, respectively.

    “provided, on average, 61%, 10%, 24%, 42%, 51%, 65%, and 35% of the total energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, zinc, and calcium intakes, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Apart from 32 Kenyan children, all children were between 6 and 24 months old.

    “Apart from n = 32 Kenyan children, all children (n = 4,038) were between 6 and 24 months old.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Although test sensitivity of a DDS × SR cutoff was lower compared with MDD, overall acceptable sensitivity and specificity estimates were obtained in children.

    “Although test Se of a DDS × SR cutoff was lower compared with MDD, overall acceptable Se and Sp estimates were obtained in children (Table 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    MAR increased with both SR and DDS.

    “MAR increased with both the SR and DDS (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    For processed food specifically, only five foods accounting for 0.04% of total energy from food were not identified.

    “For processed food specifically, only five foods accounting for 0.04% of total energy from food were not identified.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Compared with the MDD, a cutoff of 24 DDS × SR increased sensitivity by 39% in women, with acceptable specificity.

    “Compared with the MDD, a cutoff of 24 DDS × SR increased Se by 39% in women, with an acceptable Sp (SI Appendix, Tables S8 and S9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The improvement in test diagnostic properties from combining DDS and DSR was small and not observed in children.

    “The improvement in test diagnostic properties, however, was small and not observed in children.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Neither the diet diversity score nor the food variety score specifically captures the biological contribution of diverse plant and animal species to human diets.

    “Neither of these indicators specifically captures the biological contribution of diverse plant and animal species to human diets.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Current indicators used for SDGs 2 and 15 capture nutritional status, sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, and agricultural sustainability dimensions separately and do not consider diet quality or food biodiversity loss.

    “While hunger, food security, and sustainability are addressed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the current indicators used for SDGs 2 and 15 capture nutritional status, sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, and agricultural sustainability dimensions separately and do not consider diet quality or food biodiversity loss (16).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] United Nations 2017 Report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal indicators. E/CN.3/2017/2. Available at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/48th-session/documents/2017-2-IAEG-SDGs-E.pdf. Accessed July 14, 2017

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Existing diet diversity indicators such as the diet diversity score (DDS) or food variety score are used as proxies for dietary quality and measure the diversity of unique food groups and food items consumed, respectively.

    “Existing diet diversity indicators such as the diet diversity score (DDS) or food variety score are used as proxies for dietary quality and measure the diversity of unique food groups and food items consumed, respectively (19).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [19] Steyn NP Nel JH Nantel G Kennedy G Labadarios D 2006 Food variety and dietary diversity scores in children: Are they good indicators of dietary adequacy? Public Health Nutr 9 644 650 16923296 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    Adjustments for bioavailability were considered for calcium, iron, and zinc as per previous protocols.

    “Adjustments for bioavailability were considered as per previous protocols for calcium (29), iron (30), and zinc (31).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [29] Kennedy G Nantel G 2006 Basic Guidelines for Validation of a Simple Dietary Diversity Score as an Indicator of Dietary Nutrient Adequacy for Non-Breastfeeding Children 2-6 Years FAO Rome

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] FAO/WHO 2004 Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements FAO Rome 2nd Ed

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [31] Brown KH International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG) 2004 Assessment of the risk of zinc deficiency in populations and options for its control Food Nutr Bull 25 Suppl 2 S99 S203, IZiNCG Technical Document 1 18046856

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Foods and drinks were identified at the species level following best-practice guidelines using local taxonomical references and technical expertise.

    “Foods and drinks were identified at the species level following best-practice guidelines (27) using local taxonomical references and technical expertise.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Nesbitt M McBurney RPH Broin M Beentje HJ 2010 Linking biodiversity, food and nutrition: The importance of plant identification and nomenclature J Food Compost Anal 23 486 498 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Samples were representative of the village population.

    “All data were collected between July 2009 and April 2015, and samples were representative of the village population.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Food systems are a key driver of biodiversity loss worldwide.

    “Food systems are a key driver of biodiversity loss worldwide (1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Maxwell SL Fuller RA Brooks TM Watson JE 2016 Biodiversity: The ravages of guns, nets and bulldozers Nature 536 143 145 27510207 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Sustainable management of food biodiversity is essential for sustainable food systems.

    “Sustainable management of food biodiversity—the diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms used for food, both cultivated and from the wild—is essential for sustainable food systems (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] FAO and Bioversity International 2017 Guidelines on Assessing Biodiverse Foods in Dietary Intake Surveys (FAO, Rome). Available at www.fao.org/3/a-i6717e.pdf. Accessed June 20, 2017

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Luckett et al. applied the nutritional functional diversity score to diets within the context of measuring the contribution of different food source outlets to diet diversity and without validating the nutritional adequacy of the measure.

    “Luckett et al. (20) applied the nutritional functional diversity score to diets, but within the context of measuring the contribution of different food source outlets to diet diversity and without validating the nutritional adequacy of the measure.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Luckett BG DeClerck FA Fanzo J Mundorf AR Rose D 2015 Application of the nutrition functional diversity indicator to assess food system contributions to dietary diversity and sustainable diets of Malawian households Public Health Nutr 18 2479 2487 26027595 PMC10271332 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reduced biodiversity of both wild and agricultural species can have detrimental effects for diet quality and environmental sustainability by reducing availability and access to nutritious, seasonal foods and loss of ecosystem functions.

    “Reduced biodiversity of both wild and agricultural species can have detrimental effects for diet quality and environmental sustainability by reducing availability and access to nutritious, seasonal foods and loss of ecosystem functions (14).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Myers SS 2013 Human health impacts of ecosystem alteration Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 110 18753 18760 24218556 PMC3839693 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The diversity of species used in agricultural and livelihood systems is essential for human nutrition and sustainable food systems.

    “The diversity of species used in agricultural and livelihood systems is essential for human nutrition and sustainable food systems (9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Powell B 2015 Improving diets with wild and cultivated biodiversity from across the landscape Food Secur 7 535 554 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The present analysis was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ghent University.

    “The present analysis was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ghent University (NR B670201422403).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Except in Sri Lanka where the protocol was exempted from clearance, all studies were approved by an ethics committee.

    “Except in Sri Lanka where the protocol was exempted from clearance, all studies were approved by an ethics committee.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Because not all studies had a repeated recall, only the first day was included.

    “Because not all studies had a repeated recall, only the first day was included.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Adequate management and use of biodiversity can help to restore ecosystems and address micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations.

    “Adequate management and use of biodiversity can help to restore ecosystems and address micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations (11).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Ruel MT Alderman H Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group 2013 Nutrition-sensitive interventions and programmes: How can they help to accelerate progress in improving maternal and child nutrition? Lancet 382 536 551 23746780 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    It is not possible to perform a more in-depth analysis of the exact role markets or wild foods played in the diet.

    “As a result, it is not possible to perform a more in-depth analysis of the exact role markets or wild foods played in the diet.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    DSR captures both the dimension of biodiversity as well as diet diversity.

    “The DSR thus captures both the dimension of biodiversity as well as diet diversity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The single 24-h recall per subject does not allow accounting for within-person variability and estimation of usual dietary intake.

    “Although this method is appropriate to estimate population average intakes, it does not allow accounting for within-person variability and estimation of usual dietary intake.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Information on food sources (own production, market, wild) was not included in the analysis.

    “Unfortunately, information on food sources (own production, market, wild) was not included in the analysis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies misidentified between 6% and 10% of species.

    “On the other hand, assessing DSR can be challenging, because it was estimated that previous studies misidentified between 6% and 10% of species (39).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [39] Łuczaj LJ 2010 Plant identification credibility in ethnobotany: A closer look at Polish ethnographic studies J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 6 36 21167056 PMC3022638 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    International food security efforts have focused on the production of a handful of staple foods (mostly cereals) to meet human energy needs.

    “In addition, international food security efforts have hence focused on the production of a handful of staple foods (mostly cereals) to meet human energy needs (6).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] FAO 2010 Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO, Rome). Available at www.fao.org/3/a-i4465e.pdf

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The composition of various indigenous, wild, neglected, or underutilized species was often not available and was substituted with values from similar foods.

    “The composition of various indigenous, wild, neglected, or underutilized species was often not available and was substituted with values from similar foods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    We used DSR, which captures both agricultural and wild food biodiversity.

    “We used DSR, which captures both agricultural and wild food biodiversity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    An earlier systematic literature review reported considerable intra-annual variations in diet quality.

    “This was unexpected, because an earlier systematic literature review (38) reported considerable intra-annual variations in diet quality.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Phalkey RK Aranda-Jan C Marx S Höfle B Sauerborn R 2015 Systematic review of current efforts to quantify the impacts of climate change on undernutrition Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112 E4522 E4529 26216952 PMC4547305 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Guidelines were recently prepared to adequately record species during food-intake studies.

    “Guidelines were recently prepared to adequately record species during food-intake studies (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] FAO and Bioversity International 2017 Guidelines on Assessing Biodiverse Foods in Dietary Intake Surveys (FAO, Rome). Available at www.fao.org/3/a-i6717e.pdf. Accessed June 20, 2017

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Scholars have called for dietary indicators that consider multiple dimensions to provide more comprehensive assessments of diet quality.

    “Scholars have called for dietary indicators that consider multiple dimensions to provide more comprehensive assessments of diet quality (18).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Jones AD 2017 Critical review of the emerging research evidence on agricultural biodiversity, diet diversity, and nutritional status in low- and middle-income countries Nutr Rev 75 769 782 29028270 PMC5914317 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Earlier research showed that DDS is positively associated with farm production diversity as well as with market access.

    “Earlier research showed that DDS is positively associated with farm production diversity as well as with market access (18).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Jones AD 2017 Critical review of the emerging research evidence on agricultural biodiversity, diet diversity, and nutritional status in low- and middle-income countries Nutr Rev 75 769 782 29028270 PMC5914317 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The large number of foods consumed but not captured by the DDS highlights the contribution of these biodiverse foods that are consumed in small serving sizes, but with likely nutritional benefits.

    “The large number of foods consumed, but not captured by the DDS, highlights the contribution of these biodiverse foods that are consumed in small serving sizes, but with likely nutritional benefits.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Monitoring the contribution of species in the diet enables identifying species with the greatest potential to improve diets in different local contexts and provides additional granularity to assess the importance of food diversity in ensuring diet quality.

    “Monitoring the contribution of species in the diet enables identifying species with the greatest potential to improve diets in different local contexts and provides additional granularity to assess the importance of food diversity in ensuring diet quality.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Identifying foods consumed at the species level adds information that supports both conservation and sustainable food system initiatives.

    “Identifying foods consumed at the species level adds information that supports both conservation and sustainable food system initiatives.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Nutrition-sensitive agricultural and ecosystem conservation interventions, specifically those related to diversification, have an untapped potential to address global hunger and micronutrient deficiencies.

    “Nutrition-sensitive agricultural and ecosystem conservation interventions, specifically those related to diversification, clearly have an untapped potential to address global hunger and micronutrient deficiencies (11).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Ruel MT Alderman H Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group 2013 Nutrition-sensitive interventions and programmes: How can they help to accelerate progress in improving maternal and child nutrition? Lancet 382 536 551 23746780 source

      Not checked in the free run.

49 of 49

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Every sample was considered equally representative.

    “Because every sample was considered equally representative, the overall summary statistics were calculated averages for women and children separately, per country and across countries.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    No previous studies have applied common measures of biodiversity to measure levels of food biodiversity in the diet.

    “To our knowledge, no previous studies have applied common measures of biodiversity to measure levels of food biodiversity in the diet.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    SR can more easily be calculated in comparison with D and FD.

    “Given that SR can more easily be calculated in comparison with D and FD, we recommend Dietary Species Richness (DSR) as the most appropriate measure of food biodiversity in diets.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Communities are not entirely composed of subsistence farmers.

    “Communities are not entirely composed of subsistence farmers.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The availability of legumes, vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, and dark-green leafy vegetables is highly seasonal.

    “The availability of these foods is highly seasonal.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Food systems in (peri)urban areas and high-income countries have a higher degree of complexity than in rural areas and middle-income countries.

    “Food systems in (peri)urban areas and high-income countries have a higher degree of complexity than in rural areas and middle-income countries.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This complexity is mainly caused by the consumption of processed foods that have often not been locally produced but have been obtained from retail outlets or urban markets.

    “This complexity is mainly caused by the consumption of processed foods that have often not been locally produced but have been obtained from retail outlets or urban markets.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Global datasets such as FAOSTAT identify general food items or food groups and do not facilitate valorization of the full range of food biodiversity.

    “Global datasets such as FAOSTAT identify general food items or food groups and do not facilitate valorization of the full range of food biodiversity.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    DDS is a common measure to assess diversity and diet quality and is widely applied in population surveys.

    “DDS is a common measure to assess diversity and diet quality and is widely applied in population surveys.”
9 of 9

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Species richness on farm has been found to be highly correlated with micronutrient adequacy in human diets.

    “For example, species richness on farm, one measure of biodiversity, has been found to be highly correlated with micronutrient adequacy in human diets (Lachat et al., 2018).”

    From Assessing Transitions to Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems: A Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) (2020) · cites this paper as Lachat et al., 2018

    The Results (page unavailable) report an association between micronutrient adequacy and the number of species consumed by women and children. The paper measures dietary species richness, not species richness on farms, so it does not establish the claimed farm-level correlation. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Standardized D coefficient and SE conflict with significance note

    Minor

    Table 2 reports a standardized D coefficient of 0.08 with an SE of 0.08. A coefficient equal to its SE does not support the table note's claim that all coefficients have P < 0.001.

  • Reported effects per z-score use unstandardized coefficients

    Minor

    The stated increases of 0.03, 0.7, and 0.52 match Table 2's unstandardized coefficients. The table instead lists 0.10, 0.08, and 0.06 as standardized coefficients, contradicting the claim that the stated increases are per z-score increase.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

2 of the 36 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. ; FAO The Second International Conference on Nutrition: Committing to a future free of malnutrition. Available at www.fao.org/3/a-ml542e.pdf. Accessed January 24 2017. (2015).
  2. G Kennedy, G Nantel Basic Guidelines for Validation of a Simple Dietary Diversity Score as an Indicator of Dietary Nutrient Adequacy for Non-Breastfeeding Children 2-6 Years (FAO, Rome, 2006).
  3. ; Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements (Natl Acad Press Washington DC) p 560. Available at nap.edu/11537. Accessed October 27 2016. (2006).

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Lachat, C., Raneri, J. E., Smith, K. W., Kolsteren, P., Van Damme, P., Verzelen, K., Penafiel, D., Vanhove, W., Kennedy, G., Hunter, D., Odhiambo, F. O., Ntandou-Bouzitou, G., De Baets, B., Ratnasekera, D., Ky, H. T., Remans, R., & Termote, C.
Affiliations
  • Ghent University (BE)
  • Alliance Bioversity International - CIAT (IT)
  • Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agronomy and Ethnobotany, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
  • KERMIT, Department of Mathematical Modeling, Statistics, and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
  • University of Ruhuna (LK)
  • HealthBridge Foundation of Canada (CA)
Corresponding author
Lachat, Carl
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Published
2017-12-18
Volume
115
Issue
1
Pages
127-132
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1709194115
PMC
PMC5776793
OpenAlex
W2776954001
Semantic Scholar
bc9e24cd03970b13349c909942fe54516b59bd63
Cited by
248
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 10
FWCI
15.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland (FoodAfrica 29891501)
  • Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad (ICP PhD 2010-012)
  • Global environmental facility (Biodiversity for food and nutrition project GFL-2328-2715-4B07)
  • Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation (PG008608)
  • International institute for Tropical Agriculture and Bioversity International (Humidtropics A4NH: CRP4-002)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Keywords
food biodiversity, diet quality, nutritional adequacy, women and children, rural population, seasonal variation, healthy eating, sustainable diets
MeSH terms
Child, Child, Preschool, Eating, Female, Food Preferences, Humans, Infant, Male, Nutritive Value, Rural Population, Micronutrients

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review