Chapter 2: Evaluating Nutrition Information

scientific method step 1

make observations that generate questions

scientific method step 2

formulate hypotheses to explain events

scientific method step 3

review current scientific literature (published studies) that related to the questions

scientific method step 4

design studies, perform tests, and collect data

scientific method step 5

analyze data and draw conclusions based on the results

scientific method step 6

share results with peers (report findings)

scientific method step 7

conduct more research, the results of which may confirm or refute previous findings

evidence based

information supported by results of scientific studies

anecdote

a report of a person’s experiences

treatment group

the group that receives a treatment

control group

the comparison group that doesn’t receive treatment

variable

a characteristic or factor that change and influence an outcome

example of variable in a nutrition study

sleep, age, health conditions, genes, diet, ethnicity, activity level

experiment

systematic way of testing a hypothesis

vitro experiments

experiments conducted on cells or other components removed from living organisms

vivo experiments

experiments conducted on living organisms

randomized controlled trials (RCT)

an experiment where participants are randomly assigned to a treatment group or a control group

placebo

a sham/fake treatment designed to resemble the real/actual treatment

double blind study

neither the participants nor the researchers know group assignments during data collection

placebo effect

beneficial response influenced by a person’s beliefs about treatment

nocebo effect

an unwanted response influenced by negative expectations

what type of trials provide the strongest evidence for cause-effect

randomized trials

epidemiology

studies the occurrence, distribution, and causes of health problems in large populations

case control study

people with a condition are compared with similar people who don’t have that condition

cohort study

collects information from a defined group of people over time

prospective cohort

follows participants behaviors/lifestyle into the future

retrospective cohort

uses records or recalled information about past lifestyle/behavior

peer review

critical evaluation of a study by independent scientists/researchers in a related field (doesn’t guarantee that a study if valid/final)

testimonial

a personal claim/review of a product, often used in advertising

pseudoscience

information that poses as scientific without using reliable scientific methods

Registered Dietician (RD) or Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN)

credentialed food and nutrition professional who completes accredited education, supervised practice, and a national exam

DSHEA

dietary supplement is intended to supplement the diet, is taken by mouth, and contains one or more dietary ingredients (vitamins, minerals, herbs/plants)

conventional medicine

mainstream medical care supported by professional standards and evidence

complementary approach

used along with conventional care

alternative approach

used instead of conventional care

integrative health

coordinated use of conventional and complementary approaches, with attention to evidence, safety, and the whole person