Food-based dietary guidelines and implementation: lessons from fourcountries – Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa

[摘要] ObjectiveFood-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are globally promoted as an importantpart of national food and nutrition policies. They are presented withinpolicy as key features of the strategy to educate the public and guidepolicy-makers and other stakeholders about a healthy diet. This paperexamines the implementation of FBDGs in four countries: Chile, Germany, NewZealand and South Africa – diverse countries chosen to explorethe realities of the FBDG within policy on public health nutrition.DesignA literature review was carried out, followed by interviews withrepresentatives from the governmental, academic and private sector in allfour countries.ResultsIn all four countries the FBDG is mainly implemented via written/electronicinformation provided to the public through the health and/or educationsector. Data about the impact of FBDGs on policy and consumers’food choice or dietary habits are incomplete; nutrition surveys do notenable assessment of how effective FBDGs are as a factor in dietary orbehavioural change. Despite limitations, FBDGs are seen as being valuable bykey stakeholders.ConclusionFBDGs are being implemented and there is experience which should be builtupon. The policy focus needs to move beyond merely disseminating FBDGs. Theyshould be part of a wider public health nutrition strategy involvingmultiple sectors and policy levels. Improvements in the implementation ofFBDGs are crucial given the present epidemic of chronic, non-communicablediseases.

[学科分类] 卫生学

[关键词] Food-based dietary guidelines;Implementation;Nutrition policy;Dietary habits;Chile;Germany;New Zealand;South Africa