02/19/96 Junk Science

Junk Science

CHICAGO, February 19, 1996

Consumers Urged To Consider "Golden Rules" of Nutrition Before Reacting to Scary Headlines

Before reacting to nutrition studies that paint a grim picture of the American dinner table, lunch counter and breakfast nook, consumers are advised by The American Dietetic Association (ADA) to consider the 10 red flags to spot "junk" science.

The 10 Red Flags of Junk Science are:

  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.

People are getting more and more confused by the scary headlines and discouraged from taking proven, positive steps toward better health, according to Ronni Chernoff, Ph.D., R.D., president-elect of the 67,400-member ADA. "There's a lot of messy science out there that does nothing more than grab a few headlines, scare people and stir up emotions. In the long run, these so-called studies do nothing more than leave flotsam and jetsam on the shores of science."

Mountains of scientific research exist to back the tried-and-true golden rules of nutrition. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as well as tools such as the Food Guide Pyramid and Nutrition Facts food label, play a vital role in helping the public apply nutrition science to everyday food practice. Bottom line: A single food or meal doesn't make or break a healthful diet. What a person eats over time, and how much is eaten, are what's important, along with regular physical activity.

With headquarters in Chicago, the nearly 70,000-member American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

Released by FANSA (Food and Nutrition Science Alliance), September, 1995. FANSA represents members of The American Dietetic Association, American Institute of Nutrition, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, and the Institute of Food Technologists.