NEWSWORTHY NOTES                         Gayle Gette, Extension/FNP Agent
March 12, 2004                                         Towner County

Stick to the Facts

It�s finally March and National Nutrition Month is upon us. Have you stuck to your New Year�s resolutions, or is it time to revise your health and fitness goals and make a new commitment? Starting out on the right foot and getting your facts straight will go a long way toward your success.

Where do you turn for accurate nutrition information? According to the American Dietetic Association�s "Nutrition and You: Trends 2000" survey, newspapers, magazines, and television were the sources most often turned to for advice and information on food and nutrition. The Internet has also become a leading source of health-related information, with a reported 100 million Americans using this outlet. Amazingly, doctors, dietitians, and nutritionists (the folks who know the facts), are rarely referred to.

Unfortunately, it is all too common for nutrition misinformation, dietary myths, and unhealthy fad diets to get attention. Consumers learn only a fraction of the facts and end up wasting time and money on ineffective and scientifically unfounded recommendations. It is important for consumers to recognize this can have harmful effects on their health and pocketbooks. Knowing where to turn for accurate and up-to-date information is essential.

By following the Food and Nutrition Science Alliance�s "10 Red flags of Junk Science," consumers can increase their awareness and know what questions to ask to distinguish fact from fiction. Look out for these 10 red flags:

1. Recommendations that promise a quick fix.

2. Dire warnings of danger from a single product or regimen.

3. Claims that sound too good to be true.

4. Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study.

5. Recommendations based on a single study.

6. Dramatic statements that are refuted by reputable scientific organizations.

7. Lists of "good" and "bad" foods.

8. Recommendations made to help sell a product.

9. Recommendations based on studies published without peer review.

10. Recommendations from studies that ignore differences among individuals or groups.

The second step to becoming an informed consumer is recognizing where to turn for credible information. Contacting a nutrition professional is your best bet for obtaining quality dietary advice. Visit your local extension office, or the NDSU Extension Service web site for information and links to a variety of government, organizational and university web sites: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/food.htm.

Newsworthy Notes