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Modifying diets to satisfy nutritional requirements using linear programming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

P. M. Soden  and
L. R. Fletcher
P. M. Soden
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT
L. R. Fletcher
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT
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Abstract

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A computational method for constructing individually acceptable diets by modifying a chosen diet to meet nutritional requirements is described. The effects on food quantities of imposing different nutrient requirements on a sample diet are demonstrated and techniques which can ensure the acceptability to the individual of the modified diet are described. The starting point in the calculation is the person's current dietary intake. This is modified using linear programming methods which make the smallest changes to the food quantities to meet specific targets. Sequential modification can be used to identify changes that are acceptable to the individual. The computer program has been developed in collaboration with practising dietitians and is in use in some leading UK hospitals.

Keywords

Mathematically constructed dietsNutrient requirementsDietary modifications
Type
Nutritional Synthesis Calculations
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 68 , Issue 3 , November 1992 , pp. 565 - 572
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1992

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