Official name

Dietary Guidelines for Chinese (2022) 

Publication year

The dietary guidelines for Chinese were first published in 1989 and then, revised in 1997, 2007 and 2016. The current version (the 5th edition) was released in 2022.

Stakeholder involvement

The guidelines have been developed and organized by the Chinese Nutrition Society, under the leadership of the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the National Food and Nutrition Advisory Committee and other government agencies. The 5th edition of the dietary guidelines was revised by a Committee of Experts and endorsed by both the Health and Agriculture Commission. 

Products, Resources and Target audiences

Development process

The overall aim of the Chinese FBDGs, , is to maintain health and prevent chronic diseases of the Chinese population , through widespread educational initiatives. This is notably emphasized during the annual National Nutrition week. The dietary guidelines are based on strong scientific evidence.

The development of China’s FBDGs involved a structured approach, including the following steps:

• Identifying the key nutritional and dietary issues in China using national data.
• Conducting systematic literature reviews to assess the current scientific evidence on food and health.
• Developing the new edition of the Dietary Guidelines.
• Updating visual aids, while also calculating dietary balance in terms of food quality and quantity.
• Gathering feedback and conducting peer reviews to validate the modifications.
• Published by Chinese Nutrition Society.
• Implementing the Dietary Guidelines through National Nutrition Week (NNW) program.

The Chinese Dietary Guidelines (2022) development process spanned from May 2020 to April 2022. It commenced with initial discussions in May-August 2020, leading to the establishment of the Revision Organizing Committee, consisting of the Steering Committee, Revision Expert Committee, Secretariat Group, Scientific Evidence Group, and Graphic Design Group. During this phase, they began collecting the latest versions of dietary guidelines from various countries and international organizations.

 From September to December 2020, intensive discussions covered four main aspects: revising the 2016 dietary guidelines, assessing the progress of dietary guidelines, examining the current nutrition and health status in China, collecting literature on the latest scientific evidence regarding diet and health, and considering guidance from international organizations like FAO and WHO. In the subsequent year, from January to December 2021, the Scientific Evidence Group focused on identifying issues requiring adjustment, from the First Draft and revision of the 2022 Dietary Guidelines. The Expert Committee concentrated on core recommendations, practical application sections, and relevant graphics for the Chinese Dietary Guidelines (2022), and feedback was gathered through peer expert symposiums and consultation with government departments. Finally, in April 2022, the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese (2022) were officially released by the Chinese Nutrition Society.

Implementation

The National Health Commission and Chinese Nutrition Society are responsible for the implementation of FBDGs in China.

China has an official implementation plan for FBDGs, which includes the National Nutrition Plan 2017-2030, the Healthy China Action 2019-2030, and the Adequate Diet Action, National Nutrition Week (NNW),

The primary objectives of implementation plan FBDGs in China are to enhance awareness of dietary guidelines, reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases, improve the overall health of Chinese residents, and contribute to developing a healthier China.

To achieve these objectives, a set of strategic measures has been put in place. Public education is a central component, with National Nutrition Week (NNW), held annually in the third week of May, serving as a key platform. NNW's theme revolves around the core recommendations of the Chinese Dietary Guidelines (CDGs). Activities during NNW include public education speeches, TV programs, live broadcasts, and nationwide promotion and production of dissemination materials. Special attention is given to children through CDGs cartoons, podcasts, online platforms, and endorsements by movie stars, all aimed at educating them about maintaining a balanced diet. Furthermore, the core messages of CDGs 2022 are prominently displayed in public places such as parks, metro stations, and neighborhood streets, and are also integrated into school textbook materials.

Various sectors actively engage in the implementation of FBDGs in China. Health professionals, including those from the China CDC and hospitals, play a crucial role in this effort. Active participation is observed in medical institutions, hospitals, universities, and communities. Registered dietitians, as well as health enthusiasts, voluntarily take part in sharing and promoting the Chinese Dietary Guidelines on social media platforms, further expanding the reach of these important guidelines.

Evaluation

There is no official monitoring and evaluation plan for the FBDGs.

Messages

The core recommendations for the general population include:

1. Enjoy a varied and well-balanced diet.
2. Be active to maintain a healthy body weight.
3. Have plenty of vegetables, fruits, dairy, whole grains, and soybeans.
4. Eat moderate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and lean meats.
5. Limit foods high in salt, sugar, and cooking oil, avoid alcoholic drinks. 
6. Adhere to a healthy eating habit and drink adequate amount of water.
7. Learn nutrition labelling, shop wisely and cook smart.
8. Pay attention to hygiene, serve individual portions, and reduce food waste.

Supplementary guidelines tailored to specific population groups have been developed in consideration of their distinct physiological characteristics and nutritional requirements. These targeted guidelines include:

• Women who are attempting to conceive and pregnant women.
• Lactating women.
• Infants (0-6 months).
• Infants (7-24 months).
• Pre-school children (2-5 years old).
• School-aged children (6-17 years old).
• General elderly individuals (aged 65-79).
• Advanced elderly individuals (aged 80 and above).
• Vegetarians.