Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology - nutritional epidemiology (STROBE-nut): An extension of the STROBE statement.

C Lachat,G Byrnes,C L Larsson,N Slimani,M Cevallos,M Egger,J Van Camp,E Forsum,E Sonestedt,J E Cade,C Berg,M C Ocké,E Wirfält,D Hawwash,I Huybrechts,W De Keyzer,A Åkesson,A Hörnell,P Kolsteren

doi:10.1111/nbu.12217

Abstract

Concerns have been raised about the quality of reporting in nutritional epidemiology. Research reporting guidelines such as the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement can improve quality of reporting in observational studies. Herein, we propose recommendations for reporting nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research by extending the STROBE statement into Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE‐nut). Recommendations for the reporting of nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research were developed following a systematic and consultative process, co‐ordinated by a multidisciplinary group of 21 experts. Consensus on reporting guidelines was reached through a three‐round Delphi consultation process with 53 external experts. In total, 24 recommendations for nutritional epidemiology were added to the STROBE checklist. When used appropriately, reporting guidelines for nutritional epidemiology can contribute to improve reporting of observational studies with a focus on diet and health.

Highlights

Nutritional epidemiology examines the relationship between diet and health in human populations
Concerns have been raised about epidemiological research regarding diet and human health [1], and two systematic reviews identified reporting quality as a problem [2,3]
All but four of the 17 literature reviews performed prior to the fifth revision of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations [4] report that problems with a lack of methodological details caused lower quality rating or exclusion of papers

Summary

Introduction

Nutritional epidemiology examines the relationship between diet and health in human populations. Concerns have been raised about epidemiological research regarding diet and human health [1], and two systematic reviews identified reporting quality as a problem [2,3]. The STROBE statement is an evidence-based minimum set of recommendations for reporting of observational studies. The STROBE recommendations should not be considered as prescriptions for designing or conducting studies or as an instrument to evaluate the quality of observational research These reporting guidelines rather provide guidance on how to improve completeness and transparency of research reports. We propose recommendations for reporting nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research by extending the STROBE statement into Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology—Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE-nut)

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