Methods to Meta-Analyze Studies of Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes: An Evidence Scan
Overview
The USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review (NESR) team conducted an evidence scan to evaluate the volume and characteristics of evidence available to inform the development of methods to meta-analyze evidence on dietary patterns and health outcomes. The objective of this evidence scan was to answer the following question: What methods have been used to meta-analyze studies examining the relationship between dietary patterns and health outcomes?
A detailed description of the methodology used to complete this evidence scan is found within the report. This evidence scan is informed by 315 articles providing evidence from systematic reviews with meta-analysis.
The NESR team are scientists from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion who have expertise in systematic review methodology and in nutrition science, dietetics, public health, and library science. NESR staff determined the scope of the question and developed the evidence scan protocol. A list of the staff who supported this work can be found below.
Suggested Citation: Bahnfleth C, Nevins J, Scinto-Madonich S, Huang S, Ming J, Raghavan R, Becker BJ, Higgins M, Momin S, Obbagy J. Methods to Meta-Analyze Studies of Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes: An Evidence Scan. July 2025. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review. Available at: https://doi.org/10.52570/NESR.DPMA2025.ES01