The aim of the project is to review and where necessary update the 4th edition of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) issued in 2004 (Nord 2004:13). The revision is financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and will be led by a working group (NNR5 working group) nominated by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The work will mainly focus on a revision of those areas in which new scientific knowledge has emerged. This includes fat and carbohydrate quality, protein, alcohol, vitamin D, calcium, folate, iodine, iron and food-based dietary guidelines (eating patterns). Chapters on nutrition in specific groups (e.g. children, elderly, overweight) will be incorporated and the need for new areas, e.g. alternative diets and population groups in dietary transition will be considered.
The work will focus on a review of existing scientific evidence in order to enable an update of NNR reference values in the context of a balanced diet which, when part of an overall healthy lifestyle, contribute to good health through optimal nutrition and prevent lifestyle related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer, diabetes type 2 and related risk factors.
Systematic literature reviews (SLR) will be performed to minimise potential reporting bias through comprehensive and reproducible searches using clearly defined and described selections and reporting protocols. Established criteria for evaluating the methodological quality of the included studies and the overall strength of the scientific evidence will be used and the work process will include several stakeholders in a transparent process. This will be ensured through detailed documentation of the decision making process (Figure 1). The SLRs will be evaluated by external reviewers. Also, a scientific reference group will be assigned to the project, which will be consulted for general overview and on specific matters.
Figure 1. Decision making process
Declaration of interest and CV
All the experts, reviewers and the reference group will fill out Declaration of interest (DoI) and CV forms. These will be posted at this website as soon as the steering group has checked and accepted the DoIs.