Who Sets Dietary Guidelines? A Look at National and Global Health Authorities

Every five years in the United States, a collaborative effort between government agencies and scientific experts determines who sets Dietary Guidelines. These comprehensive recommendations serve as the basis for federal nutrition programs and policies that affect millions of Americans.

Quick Summary

This article explains the complex, multi-agency process behind establishing dietary recommendations. It covers national efforts by the USDA/HHS and international guidance from WHO/FAO.

Key Points

• U.S. Guidelines Set by USDA and HHS: The United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services are the federal agencies responsible for publishing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• Role of the DGAC: A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), composed of independent, non-governmental scientists, conducts a systematic review of evidence every five years and submits a scientific report to the federal agencies.

• International Guidance by WHO and FAO: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provide global nutritional recommendations and assist member countries in developing their own specific, food-based guidelines.

• Guidelines are Evidence-Based: The recommendations are built upon the latest scientific evidence regarding diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic disease, with resources like the Nutrition Evidence Library supporting the review.

• Guidelines Evolve Over Time: As scientific understanding of nutrition and health progresses, the guidelines are updated and revised periodically to reflect the most current evidence.

• Guidance is for Policy and Public Education: Dietary guidelines are used to inform federal food assistance programs, health policies, and public nutrition education efforts, impacting millions.

The U.S. Process: A Collaboration Between Government and Experts

In the United States, the responsibility for setting the official dietary guidelines falls to two federal agencies: the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mandated by Congress to reassess and reissue the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every five years, these agencies oversee a rigorous, multi-year process. The resulting document provides science-based recommendations for individuals aged two and older, aiming to promote health and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases.

The Role of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC)

At the heart of the U.S. process is the DGAC. This independent committee is composed of leading nutrition and health scientists who are appointed by the Secretaries of the USDA and HHS. Their primary task is to review the latest body of scientific evidence on diet, nutrition, and health. Their work culminates in a detailed scientific report that summarizes their findings and offers recommendations. This report is then submitted to the USDA and HHS Secretaries for consideration as they develop the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines. To ensure independence, members of the committee undergo public vetting and cannot be current government or food industry employees.

Supporting Scientific Resources

Several resources underpin the DGAC's work:

• Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL): The USDA created this tool to systematically identify and review the scientific literature, ensuring the process is evidence-based.
• Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board, DRIs are a set of reference values for nutrient intake for healthy people, which help inform the guidelines. The DRIs include Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), Adequate Intakes (AI), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL).

The International Landscape: WHO and FAO

Dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations are also developed at a global level by international bodies. The primary organizations in this space are the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The WHO develops and disseminates evidence-informed guidelines for its Member States. These guidelines cover a wide range of public health nutrition issues, from appropriate intake of salt and sugars to recommendations on infant feeding. The WHO's process is designed to be transparent and evidence-based, offering a foundation for countries to build their own national guidelines. Their work is a continuous review of new research and information from around the world on human nutrient requirements.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The FAO collaborates with the WHO to review nutrient requirements and assists Member Countries in developing, revising, and implementing national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs). The FAO maintains a repository of national FBDGs, tracking progress and helping to ensure these guidelines are culturally relevant. The FAO focuses on integrating nutritional advice with food and agricultural policies.

Comparison of U.S. and International Guidance

While both national and international guidelines are based on scientific evidence, their scope and focus can differ. The following table highlights some key contrasts.

Aspect	U.S. Dietary Guidelines (USDA/HHS)	International Guidance (WHO/FAO)
Scope	Primarily focuses on the U.S. population, addressing dietary patterns and reducing chronic disease risk in Americans.	Offers broader, global principles that countries can adapt to their specific cultural, economic, and food environments.
Process	Mandated five-year cycle involving a specific advisory committee (DGAC) that submits a scientific report to two federal agencies.	Ongoing, continuous review process where new guidelines are developed based on the latest evidence, taking anywhere from months to years.
Goal	To provide concrete, policy-level guidance for individuals and federal programs, such as school lunches and food assistance.	To establish foundational scientific consensus and assist member states in developing their own localized recommendations.
Localization	Developed for the U.S. population but recognizes the need for cultural tailoring and provides customizable frameworks.	Specifically encourages and assists member countries in developing guidelines aligned with local foods, food systems, and cultural eating patterns.

The Development Process Explained

The development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a transparent and multi-staged process designed to ensure scientific rigor and public input. Here are the key steps involved:

1. Question Formulation: The process begins with federal staff identifying topics and scientific questions relevant to public health concerns.
2. Advisory Committee Appointment: The USDA and HHS Secretaries appoint a DGAC made up of independent, non-governmental experts.
3. Scientific Review: The DGAC conducts a systematic review of the scientific literature, primarily utilizing the Nutrition Evidence Library.
4. Public Comment and Meetings: The DGAC's work is made public, and several public meetings are held to gather feedback and input from stakeholders and the general public.
5. Report Submission: The DGAC submits its scientific report detailing its findings and recommendations to the federal secretaries.
6. Guideline Development: The USDA and HHS develop the official Dietary Guidelines for Americans document, taking the DGAC's report and public comments into consideration.
7. Implementation: The final guidelines are used to inform federal nutrition programs, policies, and education initiatives.

Conclusion: A Multi-Layered, Evolving Process

The process for determining who sets Dietary Guidelines is complex and involves multiple stakeholders. In the U.S., it is a federally mandated effort led by the USDA and HHS, advised by an independent committee of scientists. Globally, international organizations like the WHO and FAO provide broad scientific principles that countries can adapt to their unique circumstances. These guidelines are not static; they evolve as new scientific evidence emerges and are crucial for informing health policy and promoting public well-being. For further reading, see the official U.S. Dietary Guidelines website at dietaryguidelines.gov.

A Note on Influence

It is important to acknowledge that various factors can influence dietary recommendations. While the process strives for scientific objectivity, it is not immune to pressures from industry lobbying groups or political agendas. For instance, the history of food guidance in America shows an evolution influenced by scientific understanding, wartime needs, and agricultural policy. Balancing public health needs with economic and agricultural realities is an ongoing challenge in this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans updated?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated and reissued every five years, as mandated by Congress.

What is the role of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC)?

The DGAC is a panel of independent, non-governmental scientists who review scientific literature and provide a report of their findings to the USDA and HHS to inform the creation of the guidelines.

Who sets dietary guidelines on a global scale?

Globally, nutritional guidance and principles are established by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

What is the difference between Dietary Guidelines and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)?

Dietary Guidelines provide broad, food-based recommendations for the general public, while DRIs are a set of specific nutrient reference values for healthy people, developed by the National Academies.

Can the public provide input on the Dietary Guidelines?

Yes, the public is given the opportunity to provide input during the process, and public meetings are held to gather feedback for the DGAC and federal agencies.

Do dietary guidelines influence government food programs?

Yes, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the basis for all major federal food and nutrition assistance programs, such as the National School Lunch Program.

Are dietary guidelines the same for every country?

No, while international bodies provide broad principles, national authorities adapt these to create food-based dietary guidelines that are relevant to their specific country's food availability, culture, and eating patterns.