Source: USDA, 4/14/22 Proposed Scientific
Questions to Inform the Development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
2025-2030Available for Public Comment Starting April 15th OverviewAs
the first step in the development process of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
2025-2030 (Dietary
Guidelines), the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
Agriculture (USDA) are releasing proposed scientific questions for public
comment. The public comment period will be open for 30 days starting April 15,
2022, through May 16, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET. HHS and
USDA are committed to transparency and providing opportunities for public
participation during this five-step process leading up to the release of the Dietary Guidelines in 2025. Process to Develop the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 Updating the Dietary Guidelines is a multi-year,
multi-step process. First, HHS and USDA are requesting public comments on the
proposed scientific questions. Next, there will be a call for nominations from
the public and the appointment of a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
(Committee). The Committee will then conduct a review of the evidence related
to the scientific questions, which culminates in the submission of a scientific
report to the Secretaries of HHS and USDA. The Committee will discuss its work in public meetings and supporting materials will be provided to the public through DietaryGuidelines.gov. HHS and USDA will consider the Committee’s report, along with federal agency and public comments, as they develop the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines. Once
released, the new edition is implemented throughout the nutrition and health
community both within and outside of the federal government. About the Proposed Scientific Questions The
proposed questions are available on DietaryGuidelines.gov and focus on diet
and health outcomes across the entire lifespan. This includes the relationship
between diet and risk of overweight and obesity with a new emphasis on weight
loss and weight maintenance. New questions also address ultra-processed foods
and food-based strategies that can be used by individuals and families to
support implementation of the Dietary
Guidelines and help prevent or manage overweight and obesity. All
prioritized scientific questions will be reviewed with a health equity lens to
ensure that resulting guidance in the Dietary Guidelines is inclusive of
people with diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. HHS
and USDA proposed these scientific questions based on the following criteria:
- Relevance – Question is within scope of the Dietary Guidelines and its focus
on food-based recommendations, not clinical guidelines for medical
treatment.
- Importance – Question addresses an area of substantial public health concern, uncertainty, and/or knowledge gap.
- Potential
Impact to Federal Programs – There is a high probability that the question will provide the scientific foundation for guidance that would inform federal food and nutrition policies and programs.
- Avoiding
Duplication – Question is not addressed through existing or planned evidence-based federal guidance (other than the Dietary Guidelines).
Research
availability will also be evaluated for the proposed questions to determine
whether there is sufficient evidence available to conduct a new review or update
an existing systematic review. Topics addressed by existing federal resources
are not included on the list of proposed scientific questions, although many
will be addressed in the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines. How to Submit a Public Comment on the Questions Anyone
can comment via Regulations.gov (docket number
OASH-2022-0005). A link to the specific Regulations.gov page will be posted on
DietaryGuidelines.gov. HHS and USDA will consider all public comments posted to
Regulations.gov in relation to the specified criteria above in prioritizing the
scientific questions to be examined by the Committee to inform the development
of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
2025-2030. Following
this public comment period, HHS and USDA will seek nominations for the Dietary
Guidelines Advisory Committee from the public. The public can sign up to receive email
updates on the Dietary
Guidelines development process and other related news,
including future opportunities for public involvement. About the Dietary Guidelines The Dietary Guidelines provides
science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce risk of
chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs. It is designed for policymakers and
nutrition and health professionals to help all individuals and their families
consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet. The information in the Dietary Guidelines is
used to develop, implement, and evaluate federal food, nutrition, and health
policies. It also is the basis for federal nutrition education materials
designed for the public and for the nutrition education components of HHS and
USDA nutrition programs. Find
more information on the Dietary Guidelines by visiting DietaryGuidelines.gov.
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