Table 4.

Risk of bias assessment for included studies [38].

		Saslow et al. (2017) [42]	Chen et al. (2020) [17]	Hallberg et al. (2108) [41]	Athinarayanan et al. (2109) [40]	Saslow et al. (2108) [43]	Summers et al. (2021) [13]
	Overall rating
	Relevance Questions
1	Would implementing the studied intervention or procedure (if found successful) result in improved outcomes for the patients/clients/population group? (NA for some Epi studies)
2	Did the authors study an outcome (dependent variable) or topic that the patients/clients/population group would care about?
3	Is the focus of the intervention or procedure (independent variable) or topic of study a common issue of concern to dietetics practice?
4	Is the intervention or procedure feasible? (NA for some epidemiological studies)
	Validity Questions
1	Was the research question clearly stated?
2	Was the selection of study subjects/patients free from bias?
3	Were study groups comparable?
4	Was method of handling withdrawals described?
5	Was blinding used to prevent introduction of bias?
6	Were intervention/therapeutic regimens/exposure factor or procedure and any comparison(s) described in detail? Were intervening factors described?
7	Were outcomes clearly defined and the measurements valid and reliable?
8	Was the statistical analysis appropriate for the study design and type of outcome indicators?
9	Are conclusions supported by results with biases and limitations taken into consideration?
10	Is bias due to study’s funding or sponsorship unlikely?

Overall positive Risk of Bias Score; If most of the answers to the above validity question are “Yes” (including criteria 2, 3, 6, 7 and at least one additional “Yes”). Neutral Risk of Bias Score; If the answers to the validity criteria question 2, 3, 6 and 7 do not indicate that the study is exceptionally strong. Negative Risk of Bias Score; If most (six or more) of the answers to the above validity question are “No”. Yes, No, Unclear, Not applicable.