Misleading description

Average effects

Look out for nutrition intervention effects that are described as average differences.

Sometimes in comparisons of interventions, an outcome, like weight or blood pressure, is measured on a scale. When scales are used, studies usually report the average difference between the outcome in one nutrition intervention group, and the outcome in the comparator group. But not everyone experiences the average effect. For example, some people may experience a big reduction in weight and others may not have any weight loss.

REMEMBER: Don’t be tricked by average effects. When outcomes are measured using scales, don’t assume that everyone experiences the average effect.