Comparison of dietary guidelines among 96 countries worldwide

In order to meet nutritional needs and prevent nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases, dietary guidelines (DGs), tailored to nation's dietary and lifestyle characteristics, were developed by many countries. So far, there are many researches focusing DGs on one country or continent, but a full and systematic comparison of global DGs is still sparse. DGs and related information of 96 countries (regions), including 46 full texts in English, 95 key items and 91 graphics, were collected complying with explicit inclusion criteria. A comparative study is made on graphics, food groupings, associated messages of healthy eating and behavior and DGs for specific populations based on information extracting from DGs key items, graphics and full texts. Pyramid model was the preferred model of most countries in Asia and Europe to illustrate their food guide, other shapes were the choices of most countries in both South and North Americas. Vegetable/fruit, salt/sodium, fat, sugar, physical activity, water, dairy/milk, grain/cereal, fish, variety/diversity are mentioned most frequently, suggesting these projects or items are currently the major concerns for world diet. Few countries have developed specific DGs for special populations. Different countries presented different features in DGs due to various reasons such as traditional culture, geographical condition, ethnic relation and other social-cultural conditions. Based on the interpretation of the similarities and differences of DGs among different countries, we believe that this review could provide some available information and help for a better understanding of dietary guidelines about the main points and important principles.