Introduces the concept of food-based dietary guidelines as a powerful
new tool for addressing the changing nutrition needs of Western Pacific
countries. Food-based dietary guidelines, which emphasize specific foods
dishes and local cuisines rather than nutrients or food groups, are
considered an especially promising tool for the development of
culturally sensitive dietary advice easily understood by consumers. The
book which gives particular attention to diet-related chronic diseases
is issued at a time when Western Pacific countries are experiencing
dramatic urbanization, population ageing, changing lifestyles, and a
corresponding upsurge in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. The book has four
sections. The first introduces the concept and principles of food-based
dietary guidelines and explains how they differ from traditional dietary
recommendations. Section two profiles health and nutritional needs using
illustrative examples taken from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Malaysia, the Pacific islands, Philippines, Republic of Korea, and Viet
Nam. A general discussion of sociocultural issues that affect dietary
patterns is followed by an explanation of the ways that food-based
dietary guidelines can contribute to food safety and food security. The
remaining sections alert readers to the possible negative effects of
dietary recommendations on agriculture and the environment and set out
guidelines for developing and implementing culturally sensitive dietary
advice.