Addressing Dietary Fiber Terminology Consistency: Insights From a Multidisciplinary Roundtable and Establishment of the Fiber Ontology Working Group

Authors: FORESTER, SHAVAWN - Nutrient Institute, Llc; JENNINGS-DOBBS, EMILY - Nutrient Institute, Llc; SLAVIN, JOANNE - University Of Minnesota; FAHEY JR., GEORGE - University Of Illinois; MCCLEARY, BARRY - University Of Sydney; KING, GRAHAM - Southern Cross University; HERNANDEZ, LILANA - University Of Adelaide; DOOLEY, DAMION - Simon Fraser University; Fukagawa, Naomi; KLURFELD, DAVID - Indiana University

Submitted to: Nutrition Today
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The Dietary Fiber Terminology Roundtable was organized to address crucial issues concerning the role of dietary fiber in human health, current definitions, and the pressing need to resolve inconsistencies and ambiguities in fiber terminology. This publication captures valuable insights and diverse perspectives from a multidisciplinary group of experts who span research areas, including fiber and carbohydrate research in human health, fiber analysis and methodology, food and nutrition ontology development and application, as well as food composition data and public health. The presentations provided a rationale and support for dietary fiber as an essential nutritional component of food with vast potential to improve health. Additionally, the concept of a systematic ontological framework was introduced as a highly valuable and most suitable solution to facilitate clear communication about fiber in research, education, healthcare, and industry. As a result, a Dietary Fiber Ontology Working Group has been formed, and the collective expertise within the group will contribute to the creation of an open-access fiber ontology. This effort aims to address not only educational aspects but also support the identification of fiber-related health outcomes and the underlying mechanisms responsible for biological effects.

Technical Abstract: The Dietary Fiber Terminology Roundtable was organized to address crucial issues concerning the role of dietary fiber in human health, current definitions, and the pressing need to resolve inconsistencies and ambiguities in fiber terminology. Valuable insights and diverse perspectives from a multidisciplinary group of experts who span research areas, including fiber and carbohydrate research in human health, fiber analysis and methodology, food and nutrition ontology development and application, as well as food composition data and public health have been summarized and include a rationale and support for dietary fiber as an essential nutritional component of food with vast potential to improve health. Additionally, the concept of a systematic ontological framework was introduced as a highly valuable and most suitable solution to facilitate clear communication about fiber in research, education, healthcare, and industry. As a result, a Dietary Fiber Ontology Working Group has been formed, and the collective expertise within the group will contribute to the creation of an open-access fiber ontology. This effort aims to address not only educational aspects but also support the identification of fiber-related health outcomes and the underlying mechanisms responsible for biological effects.