Developing a protocol based on the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines for individual dietary advice in the primary healthcare: Theoretical and methodological bases

Abstract

To describe the methodology of development of a protocol for application of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines by primary healthcare professionals in individual dietary advice. A five-step approach was followed: (1) format definition; (2) definition of the instrument for assessment of individuals' food consumption; (3) Dietary Guidelines' content extraction; (4) protocol content development; (5) content and face validity. An example from Brazil was displayed with the development of a protocol to guide healthcare professional decision-making when providing nutrition advice based on the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines. The instrument of the Brazilian Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) was chosen to the food consumption assessment, which contains questions about the consumption of seven healthy or unhealthy food groups and one question about eating modes. The Guidelines' content extraction process led to the identification of recommendations related to the food consumption markers assessed by the SISVAN questionnaire. Then, a protocol was developed in a flowchart format, in which the professional's conduct is guided by the answer given to each question of the SISVAN instrument. For each 'non-compliant' answer (unhealthy eating practice), the professional is instructed how to provide recommendations and identify obstacles. Lastly, experts and healthcare professionals highlighted pertinence, clarity and usability of the protocol. This study provides the blueprint for the phase-wise development of protocols of application of the Dietary Guidelines and may contribute to promote healthier eating and ending malnutrition in all its forms.