Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences - Vol.4, No.3+4, December, Year 2008
Author: Hee Young Pailk, Sc.D.Professor, Seoul National Univ., Korea Council Member, IUNS
Summary:
Recently the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, announced the “Dietary Guidelines for Korean Adults (DGKA),” which includes ten Dietary Goals, six Dietary Guidelines, and twenty-three Action Guidelines. DGKA are developed as the revision of the 2003 Dietary Guidelines for Koreans, targeting adult population. Dietary Guidelines are developed for general purpose as well as different age groups and revised periodically according to the changes in diet and health problems of the population. The process of developing new DGKA can be summarized as selection of areas of concentration, analysis of available data for each area selected, and derivation of guidelines based on the analyzed data, and finalizing the guidelines after open discussions among the experts and general public.Areas of concentration were selected by examining the national health plans (HP2O1O), soliciting proposals from the experts in the related fields, and reviewing existing and international guidelines. Five areas selected were; Adequate intake of nutrients and foods, Balance of energy intake and physical activities, Alcohol intake, Food security and nutrition service, and Food safety. Adequacy of nutrient and food intakes of the Korean adult population was assessed using 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Newly developed Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans were used as reference values to assess the prevalence of inadequacy and excess in nutrient intakes. Energy balance was examined with energy intake of 2005 KNHANES survey and results of physical activity questionnaire in the survey. Alcohol intake was also examined using 2005 KNHANES results of dietary intakes as well as the results of questionnaire survey on alcohol intakes. Food security, nutrition services, and food safety were analyzed using various government data and published results on the issues. Six dietary guidelines were developed after data analysis and subjected to reviews of experts and general public. The final DGKA includes Eat a variety of foods from each food group, Increase physical activity and maintain healthy weight, Eat proper amount of clean foods, Avoid salty foods and try to eat foods with bland taste, Avoid foods with high fat contents and deep-fried foods,and When you drink alcohol, limit the amount. Action guidelines are developed in order to achieve these guidelines in actual diet of the population. The government is disseminating the guidelines with “337” slogan and emblem. “337” indicates everyone should practice “3” guidelines of promoting good eating practice, “3” guidelines to limit or decrease in you diet, and you should practice them for “7” days a week. The guidelines will be useful in promoting healthy food habits and good nutritional status which will result in decrease nutrition related health problems in Korea.
