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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the current status and trend of lifecycle-based dietary guidelines around the world. The homepage of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provides information regarding the dietary guidelines of countries around the world. At the time of the study (October 2016), such information of 84 countries were available through the homepage. Information was reviewed with a focus on lifecycle-based dietary guidelines. Only 13 among 84 countries had separate dietary guidelines targeting specific audiences based on lifecycle: Austria, Belgium, Benin, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Latvia, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand. Other 11 countries provided some guidelines additional to the general dietary guidelines, depending on lifecycle-based targets: Afghanistan, Australia, Chile, China, Finland, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Switzerland. The most commonly targeted audience based on lifecycle were pregnant/lactation women, infants/young children, adolescents and the elderly among the 24 countries. The rest 60 countries had only one set of dietary guidelines targeting the general audience. In case of France, it was noticeable that guidelines were provided for parents or caregivers of children/adolescents and the elderly. None of the countries provided dietary guidelines specifically targeting women of child-bearing age. Australia included-Encourage support and promote breastfeeding as one of the five dietary guidelines for the general public. The study was conducted for providing directions regarding revision of dietary guidelines for Koreans with the Korean government, but the results could be useful for other countries considering developing or revising lifecycle-based dietary guidelines.

Biography

Jihyun Yoon is a Professor of the Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, South Korea. She has graduated from Seoul National University, majoring in Food and Nutrition and Business Administration. She has earned her MS from Iowa State University and PhD from Purdue University, USA, specializing foodservice for children. Previously, she has worked as a Program Specialist at the Child Nutrition Division of Texas Education Agency, Austin, USA. Her research topics have included food and nutrition policy and marketing, nutrition support programs for needy children and school lunch system.