Mapping the Evolution of Nutrition Education: A Scientometric Review from 1970 to 2023, Unveiling Insights Over Half a Century

Norazmir Md Nor^1,2*, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor^3,4, Zulkifli Halim⁵, Mohd Haidzir Abd Manaf⁶, Saiful Adli Bukry⁶ and Ummi Mohlisi Mohd Asmawi⁷

¹Centre for Nutrition and Dietetics Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia.

²Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia

³Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

⁴Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Raub, Malaysia

⁵College of Computing Informatics and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang Branch, Raub, Malaysia.

⁶Centre for Physiotherapy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Malaysia.

⁷Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.

Corresponding Author E-mail: azmir2790@uitm.edu.my

This scientometric review aims to systematically analyse and document the development and transformation of nutrition education research over more than fifty years. The study seeks to identify key themes, trends, and shifts in the field, offering a comprehensive overview of its historical trajectory and current state. A thorough visual analysis of the Web of Science Core Collection literature, including publication, institution, country/region, author, journal, keywords, and reference in nutrition education from 1970 to 2023, was carried out using Citespace 5.8.R1 (64-bit). The study employs advanced data mining techniques and network analysis to identify citation bursts, major research themes, and influential works in the field. The analysis reveals several significant trends and shifts in nutrition education research. Key themes such as obesity, nutrition literacy, evidence-based strategies, and localised interventions emerged as focal points of academic discourse. The study noted increasing citation bursts related to these themes, indicating a field responsive to emerging health challenges and societal needs. The research landscape evolved from foundational principles in the early years to an era of interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of advanced technologies. The review concludes that nutrition education research has undergone substantial growth and transformation over the past fifty years. It has evolved to address complex nutritional challenges through informed, evidence-based strategies, reflecting its adaptability and responsiveness to changing public health concerns and scientific evidence. This scientometric review maps the field's historical development. It serves as a guidepost for future research directions, underscoring the ongoing importance of nutrition education in enhancing global health and well-being.

Bibliometric; Evolution; Nutrition education; Scientometric

[ HTML Full Text]