Food-based dietary guidelines - Hungary
Official name
- OKOSTÁNYÉR® Dietary Guidelines for the General Population in Hungary (Hungarian: OKOSTÁNYÉR® Táplálkozási ajánlások a felnőtt lakosság részére)
- OKOSTÁNYÉR® Dietary Guidelines for 6-17 Year Olds (Hungarian: OKOSTÁNYÉR® Táplálkozási ajánlások 6-17 évesek részére)
- 60+ Health - Dietary Guideline for the Elderly (Hungarian: 60+ Egészség – Táplálkozási ajánlás 60 év felettieknek)
Publication year
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Initially developed in 2016, with the latest revisions in 2021 for the general adult population and in 2018 for children aged 6-17.
- 60+ Health: First published in 2021, specifically for those aged 60 and above.
Stakeholder involvement
The development of Hungary's dietary guidelines involved multiple stakeholders:
- OKOSTÁNYÉR® (General Population and Children): Developed by the Hungarian Dietetic Association (MDOSZ), with endorsement from the Food Science Scientific Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition, and the Hungarian Society of Nutrition.
- 60+ Health (Elderly): Developed by the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (now the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy), funded by the Human Resources Development Operational Programme. The Hungarian Dietetic Association and Semmelweis University’s Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences contributed to the guideline review. Official endorsement was provided by the Ministry of Interior.
Products, Resources and Target audiences
Products | Target audience |
Consumer education materials | General population |
Consumer education materials | Children |
Consumer education materials | Elderly population, health care workers, general population |
Situation Analysis and Evidence Review Report (SAER) | Academic community |
Communication materials | General population |
Communication materials | Children |
Consumer education materials | Elderly population, health care workers, general population |
Development process
The development of the dietary guidelines was a methodical, multi-step process:
- Timeline
- The adult guidelines' initial development took 1.5 years (2015–2016), including a preparatory phase.
- The guidelines for school-aged children (6-17 years) took one year (2018) and followed the graphical style of the adult guidelines.
- 60+ Health: The development took four years, from 2017 to 2020.
2. Planning
OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Followed EFSA’s scientific guidelines, with a team from academia, public health, and nutrition science leading the project, led by MDOSZ. The stages included:
- Preparatory phase and identification of diet-health relationships.
- Identifying country-specific diet-related health issues.
- Identifying nutrients of public health significance.
- Defining relevant foods, consumption patterns, and testing the guidelines.
- Developing graphical representations of the guidelines.
60+ Health: Led by the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, this team conducted situation analysis, evidence review, formulated specific technical recommendations suited for older adults and developed graphical representations of the guidelines.
- Evidence Review and Situation Analysis
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Relied on a systematic literature review, including WHO guidelines, EFSA recommendations, and Hungarian national data.
- 60+ Health: Based on findings from European Health Interview Surveys and Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Surveys (2009 and 2014) to align with the unique needs of the elderly.
- Development of Technical Recommendations
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Technical recommendations were guided by EFSA nutrient intake guidelines, using a 10-day sample menu developed with nutrient calculation software to ensure adherence to macronutrient and micronutrient standards.
- 60+ Health: Recommendations included culturally relevant food recipes, seasonal menus, and sample meals designed with NutriComp 5.0 Software to meet the dietary needs of the elderly.
Objectives of the DGs
The main objectives of the Hungarian Dietary Guidelines include:
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Aims to promote optimal nutrient intake through a varied, balanced diet and promoting foods with beneficial nutritional effects and to ensure optimal energy consumption to achieve and maintain energy balance and body weight at a population level.
- 60+ Health: Provides dietary guidance for the elderly to maintain healthy eating habits, supporting healthcare workers and caregivers who assist this demographic.
Implementation
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: The Hungarian Dietetic Association is responsible for implementing the OKOSTÁNYÉR® Dietary Guidelines for adults and children aged 6-17. While the guidelines are widely accepted by the media, education institutes, and the health sector, further expansion is anticipated in the food, agriculture, and retail sectors. The implementation strategy aims to raise awareness among key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, decision-makers, educators, and the general public.
- 60+ Health: Overseen by the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, focusing on education for the elderly and healthcare professionals, delivered through in person courses, webinars, social media, and academic publications.
Evaluation
OKOSTÁNYÉR® dietary guidelines. Key indicators include:
- Awareness levels among the population, monitored through a representative survey (CAWI, N=500) targeting individuals aged 18 and older. The goal is to increase awareness to at least 45% by 2025.
- Two awareness surveys conducted in 2018 and 2022 indicated that awareness of the guidelines increased from 9% to 29%.
60+ Health: Initial evaluations are in progress, with scheduled formal evaluations every five years, with the next review expected in 2026.
Food guide
OKOSTÁNYÉR® dietary guidelines food guide, is represented as a plate and includes the following food groups:
- Grains
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Milk and Dairy Products
- Meat, Fish, Eggs
- Oils and Fats
- Sweets and Desserts
- Sugars and Salt
- Water
The guide also emphasizes physical activity and maintaining a healthy body mass.
Recommended Proportions:
- Adults: At least 500g of vegetables or fruit daily; 3 portions of grains (with at least one portion whole grain); 500ml of milk or dairy products; limited consumption of red meat (500-700g per week) and processed meat; 8 glasses of fluids daily, with at least 5 glasses being water.
- Children (6-12 years): At least 4 portions of fruit or vegetables daily (excluding potatoes); 3 portions of grains (one portion whole grain); 3 servings of milk or dairy products; 8 glasses of fluids, primarily water.
60+ Health dietary guidelines food guide, is Illustrated as a clock, guiding the elderly to consume balanced meals five times daily. The main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) should contain bigger portions of food than snacks (eaten between the main meals) and should consist of cereal products, fruit and vegetables and complete proteins.
The represented food groups are:
- Grain and grain products
- Fruit and vegetables
- Milk, dairy products
- Meat and meat products
- Fish
- Eggs
- Oils and fats
- Sweets and desserts
- Salt
- Water and other drinks
Key recommendations specific to the elderly include:
- Meal Frequency: Consume smaller portions more frequently throughout the day to support digestive health and energy needs.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Prioritize fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, with an emphasis on high-fiber options to support digestive health.
- Whole Grains: Incorporate whole grains regularly for fiber, minerals, and sustained energy.
- Protein Sources: Focus on easily digestible proteins like fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy.
- Hydration: Encourage regular water intake, and ensure adequate hydration, particularly important for older adults.
Messages
The key messages promoted by each guideline are as follows:
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Drink plenty of fluids, have 3-5 meals daily, and eat a varied, balanced diet. Stay physically active.
- 60+ Health: Eat smaller portions but more frequently, prioritize hydration, consume fruits and vegetables daily, include whole grains, and maintain a balanced intake of protein and dairy.
Sustainability
Both guidelines incorporate sustainability considerations:
- OKOSTÁNYÉR®: Emphasizes socio-cultural and environmental sustainability by promoting plant-based foods, reducing red meat intake, and encouraging fresh produce.
- 60+ Health: Highlights the importance of seasonal and local food choices and reducing food waste as part of sustainable dietary habits.