validated for collecting and using reliable data. If these
methods were extended to other countries, the speci-
ficities of the French dietary model would stand out.
The causalities between diet and health can be
determined in two ways: firstly by using the systems
approach to integrate all the fragmentary knowledge
available about how nutrients affect physiological
systems; and secondly, by combining epidemiological
studies with systematic phenotyping and genotyping
of individuals in the cohorts (requiring a biological
sample bank). This second approach would need to
include detailed analysis of gut flora, since its role
appears to be increasingly important.
Changes in food supply (product quality, price,
availability) can have major unintentional effects on
dietary behaviour, necessitating further research
(effects on market segmentation, market competition,
consumer preferences).
Consumer behaviour models need to account for
the relative weight of each determinant, particularly
the effects of social environment and spatial factors
on individual diet. One priority consists of combining
economic mechanism models, with models of the
biological systems involved in the connections
between diet and health.
Another priority will be to explain through brain
imagingtechniques how the different signals leading
to purchasing choices function. Also, how signals of
fullness and satiety are related with food and meal
characteristics (such as the role of sugar on the
activation of reward pathways) and meal context
(particularly conversation and distraction).
Research into the evaluation of public policies
needs to be organized and extended. The ambivalent
outcomes of these policies (mostly positive but
potentially a source of growing inequalities, such as
for price policies) should be specifically addressed
using cost-benefit analyses, up to and including
estimation of the social costs of saved lives. The
reasons for the difference in impact between product
marketing tactics and information campaigns
remain to be explored.
References“Dietary behaviours and practices. Determinants, Action,
Outcomes” Collective Scientific Expertise. P. Etiévant, F.
Bellisle, J. Dallongeville, C. Donnars, F. Etilé, E. Guichard, M.
Padilla, M. Romon-Rousseaux, C. Sabbagh, A. Tibi (editors)
2010, INRA publisher (Paris), 280 pages.The full report and and an executive summary (63 pages) can be
accessed at the following site:
http://www.inra.fr/l_institut/expertise/expertises_realisees.107