Development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Iran: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Iran is undergoing an epidemiological and nutritional transition. Over the last 2–3 decades, major changes in lifestyle and food consumption patterns have occurred, as well as in the socio-economic situation. Disease patterns have changed and some micronutrient deficiencies and chronic nutritional diseases, including obesity, are on the increase. Considering these, food habits, and the national food system, the Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Iranian Nutrition Society jointly undertook to prepare food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs). The process consisted of three phases: agreeing on food groups, designing pictorial FBDGs, and field testing them. Three working teams, supported by a large group of advisors consisting of nutritionists, epidemiologists, food/nutrition planners, and other relevant experts were formed. The first draft of the food groups consisted of 7 groups: Bread and Cereals; Meats and Eggs; Pulses; Fruits; Vegetables; Milk and Dairy Products; Miscellaneous (nuts, oils and fats, sugar and sweets, soft drinks). It was sent to 20 nutrition and public health experts for feedback. A suggestion was made to divide the Miscellaneous group into two – oils and fats, and Miscellaneous (sugars and sweets, pickled and salted food items). Three pictorial FBDGs were then designed: a plate, a pyramid, and a rectangle. Thus, three posters were prepared by the working teams and revised by a group of experts, followed by a preliminary evaluation. The final step will be field testing of the three revised, modified designs by the public and experts and their final evaluation.

Does the diet of Tehranian adults ensure compliance with nutritional targets? Observations from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

“…The corresponding intake of refined grains was 9?5 % in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002 (35) . The fact that rice was the highest contributor to cereal intake in the present study, while it contributed only 5?3 % in NHANES (34) , confirms the results of previous research documenting rice as the staple food in the Middle East region (3,13) . On the other hand, the contribution of dark green vegetables to total vegetable intake in Tehranian adults was almost 30 %, a figure that is much higher than the recommended amount of 17 % (12) , while dark green vegetable intake accounted for less than 6 % of total vegetable intake in NHANES (35) .…”

A cluster randomised controlled trial of an intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in Iranian adolescents

“…It is therefore not surprising that dietary guidelines recommend that people consume plenty of F&V, including a variety of types and colours (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013;Safavi et al, 2007; U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2010). Although the benefits of eating F&V have been identified, most young people do not meet current guidelines for F&V intake.…”

The Relationship Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Food Patterns in University Student Girls

“…A study on dietary intakes could help nutritionist determine food patterns and their effect on some problems such as PMS symptoms in women. The Iranian food pyramid is an ap-propriate dietary pattern that was designed for Iranian adults (17) and by following the food pyramid guidance helps to improve overall health (18). No studies were found about the relationship between dietary patterns (according to food pyramid) and PMS emotional and physiological symptoms in Iranian women.…”