Date: 26 September 2019

Introduction by: Fatima Hachem, Senior Nutrition Officer, Nutrition and Food Systems Division, FAO 

Presenters:

• Rozenn Gazan, PhD, MS-Nutrition, France
• Ramani Wijesinha-Bettoni, Nutrition Officer, Nutrition Education and Consumer Awareness Team, Nutrition and Food Systems Division, FAO
• Chiza Kumwenda, Nutrition expert, FAO Zambia

Moderator: Ana Islas, Nutrition Officer, Nutrition and Food Systems Division, FAO 

Recording: https://youtu.be/fA9GS_6_dzE 

Abstract: Most food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are accompanied by a graphic which expresses recommendations in a visual format, such as a plate or pyramid, in order to facilitate understanding by the general population. However, details on how the proportionalities of food groups depicted are arrived at are often not published, and there does not appear to be one clear way of doing this. Several (mainly high income) countries use formal diet modelling approaches to develop food patterns or food guides intended to provide consumers with information on how to select the types and amounts of food to be consumed from specified food groups in order to meet the FBDGs recommendations. Such guides are meant to promote a desirable pattern of eating rather than prescribe a dietary pattern. Linear programming is one method used to develop food patterns that are consistent with nutrient recommendations, current eating habits, and if data are available, environmental considerations. Is diet modelling of relevance for low and middle-income countries (LMIC), which often lack data and resources, in their FBDGs development process?

In this webinar, we explored the potential of diet modelling for LMIC, focusing on the following questions:

• What is diet modelling/diet optimization? What are its applications?
• How does diet modelling fit in with the FAO process for developing FBDGs? (Introduction to the FAO diet modelling package for FBDGs)
• What has been a country experience with diet modelling for FBDGs using the FAO package?

The webinar introduced the FAO diet modelling package for FBDGs, and highlighted the experience of using the package in Zambia.