Key Characteristics of Public Health Interventions Aimed at Increasing Whole Grain Intake: A Systematic Review

Objective: To identify characteristics of successful public health interventions aimed at increasing whole grain consumption. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses framework, guided by higher-quality interventions with greatest effect size, was adopted to conduct a systematic literature review. Results: Of 8,500 initial records, only 8 interventions with demonstrated reach (up to national populations) and effectiveness (increasing consumption 8-27 g/d) were eligible for synthesis. Their characteristics included multiple stakeholder involvement, specified target intakes in dietary guidelines, manufacturer codes of practice, product reformulation, evidence-based educational resources, social media, and community events with tasting and preparation opportunities. Empowerment of food service providers was also linked to success. Conclusions and Implications: Successful interventions require multifaceted strategies across multiple aspects of the food system, underpinned by multiple stakeholder partnerships. Uniform capture of interventions using an online, searchable, public domain resource may provide a strategy to enable health professionals globally to plan local interventions across cultural settings, drawing on best practice guidelines developed from interventions with demonstrated reach and effectiveness.