Analysis in Nutrition Research, Principles of Statistical Methodology and Interpretation of the Results

Abstract

Today, more than ever, dietitians and nutritionists are encouraged to make evidence-based decisions and apply nutrition practice guidelines in their practice. 1 Lennon SL DellaValle DM Rodder SG et al. 2015 Evidence analysis library evidence-based nutrition practice guideline for the management of hypertension in adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017; 117: 1445-1458.e17 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (25) Google Scholar , 2 Thompson KL Elliott L Fuchs-Tarlovsky V Levin RM Voss AC Piemonte T Oncology evidence-based nutrition practice guideline for adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017; 117: 297-310.e47 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (61) Google Scholar , 3 Duarte-Gardea MO Gonzales-Pacheco DM Reader DM et al. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics gestational diabetes evidence-based nutrition practice guideline. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018; 118: 1719-1742 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (25) Google Scholar , 4 Kuehneman T Gregory M de Waal D et al. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evidence-based practice guideline for the management of heart failure in adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018; 118: 2331-2345 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar , 5 Sapienza C Diet Issa JP. Nutrition, and Cancer Epigenetics. Annu Rev Nutr. 2016; 36: 665-681 Crossref PubMed Scopus (73) Google Scholar , 6 Papoutsakis C Moloney L Sinley RC Acosta A Handu D Steiber AL Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics methodology for developing evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017; 117: 794-804 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar , 7 Bauer J. Evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics: translating evidence into practice. Nutr Diet. 2019; 76: 123-125 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar , 8 Katz DL Karlsen MC Chung M et al. Hierarchies of evidence applied to lifestyle medicine (HEALM): introduction of a strength-of-evidence approach based on a methodological systematic review. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2019; 19: 178 Crossref PubMed Scopus (33) Google Scholar However, doing this requires a clear understanding of the methodologies used to conduct research and a firm grasp of the types of statistical tests used to determine statistical significance. Unfortunately, one of the challenges for health care professionals who want to implement an evidence-based, scientific approach is a lack of knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative methodologies used in research. 7 Bauer J. Evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics: translating evidence into practice. Nutr Diet. 2019; 76: 123-125 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar Based on my experience as a graduate program director and teaching research methods at the graduate level for the past 10 years, I can attest to the fact that most students fear taking statistics and diving into the scientific literature beyond the abstract more than any other component of their graduate program. In essence, as the author Dan Brown 9 Brown D. The Lost Symbol. Doubleday Publishing Company, New York, NY2009 Google Scholar stated in The Lost Symbol, “We all fear what we do not understand.”