Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Asia’s FIRST IiP – Gold

Management in 2015 Accredited University Granted INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Status

I. Evidence-Based Article

Nutrition Food Policy Guidelines

Throughout history, public health nutrition has served to shape nutrition food
policy, beginning primarily as a population-level approach to disease prevention, health
promotion, and addressing malnutrition and undernutrition. For example, in the early
1800s, public health policies formed public school lunch programs, milk stations, and
state and local health departments. Primarily in the United States, the focus began with
addressing infant and child morbidity and mortality, and diseases caused by nutritional
deficiencies such as rickets and scurvy. As industrialization increased, nutrition food
policy has shifted toward disease prevention from dietary excesses with the increased
availability of nutrient-poor foods and the resultant obesity epidemic, which has been
implicated in diet-related noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain types of cancers.

Nutrition food policy is a global concern, often addressing food shortages with war
and famine in less developed nations and shifting as noted elsewhere in this article, to
focus on chronic diseases caused by decreased physical activity and poor dietary intake
in developing countries and countries in transition as they become more industrialized
and urban. International organizations such as the World Health Organization, World
Public Health Nutrition Association, and the Food First Information and Action Network
International, review nutrition food policy from a public health perspective taking into
account the global food economy. Most recently, in December of 2020, the World Health
Organization pronounced 2021 to 2030 to be the Decade of Healthy Aging, adding the
health concerns of a rapidly aging population to their focus in public health research.

Throughout the guidelines and in each individual phase of the lifespan the phrases
“nutrient-dense” and “dietary pattern” are used in a specific fashion to promote maximum
benefit in food and beverages consumed. The scientific panel has defined nutrient-dense
foods as those foods that provide high-quality vitamins, minerals, and other healthful
components while containing little added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. “Dietary
pattern” is representative of consistency in consuming nutrient-dense foods in proper
amounts from all food groups. Recommendations are subsequently delivered based on
lifespan appropriate, nutrient-dense food choices.

Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Asia’s FIRST IiP – Gold

Management in 2015 Accredited University Granted INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Status
II. Reflective Essay

1. Briefly describe the scenario.

In the above-given article from ScienceDirect, it was highlighted how a healthy diet
aids an individual to be protected against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as non-
communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
However, in this modern era, increased production of processed foods, urbanization, and
altering lifestyle have led to a shift in dietary patterns. Indeed, now, instead of consuming
fruits and vegetables, individuals tend to eat more foods that are high in energy, fats, and
salt. In fact, the precise make-up of a diversified, balanced, and healthy diet varies
depending on an individual's characteristics, including age, gender, lifestyle, and degree
of physical activity. Moreover, cultural context, locally available foods, and dietary
customs are also factors. With that, proper nutritional guidelines must be directed and
considered to change the lifestyle that one is being used to. In the first two years of a
child’s life, optimal nutrition fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development.
It is said to reduce the risk of becoming overweight and developing non-communicable
diseases later in life. Here, nurses must provide advice on a healthy diet for infants and
children. It was discussed that should be breastfed exclusively during the first six months
of life. Moreover, they should be continuously breastfed until two years of age and
beyond. Truly, from six months of age, breast milk should be complemented with a variety
of adequate, safe, and nutrient-dense foods. Salt and sugars should not be added to
complementary foods. With nutritional guidelines for adults, WHO have expressed that
adult need to have at least 400 grams or five portions of fruit and vegetables per day,
excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, and other starchy roots. Additionally, adults
must consume fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

2. How do you feel about it? (You may include comments)

Upon reading and understanding the evidence-based article, I have immensely

appreciated the value of nutrition in our lives. More than the name itself, this shields us
from various leading global health diseases. In point of fact, it strengthens one's immune
system and supports weight management. Moreover, with the article, I have perceived
the role of the government in combating malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyle. Undeniably,
they have a significant role in creating a healthy food environment that enables individuals

Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Asia’s FIRST IiP – Gold

Management in 2015 Accredited University Granted INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Status
to adopt and maintain healthy dietary practices. With that, I realize how they should
consider practical actions and policies that would put people to such great advantage.
They can even create coherence in national policies and investment plans, encourage
consumer demand for healthy foods and meals, and promote appropriate infant and
young child feeding practices. In the same way, I felt gratified with how the World Health
Organization responded and dealt with issues regarding diet in every corner of the world.
Of course, as an individual, the article made me feel the need to change my habits and
lifestyle. Certainly, proper nutritional guidelines must be upheld. I should also prioritize
what is the most valuable to me, and that is health. After all, prevention is better than
cure, and health is the real wealth.

3. What have you learned from it?

The evidence-based article has taught me various learnings that I can apply in my
everyday living. Undoubtedly, diet evolves over time and is influenced by various social
and economic factors that interact in a complex manner to shape individual dietary
patterns. These factors are income, food prices, personal preferences, beliefs, cultural
traditions, geographical, and environmental aspects. Promoting a healthy environment is
necessary to attain good health and well-being. Generally, change should always start
within ourselves. As eating at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day helps to
ensure an adequate daily intake of dietary fiber, I have learned that we should always
include vegetables and fruits in our meals as well as eat a variety of those. Besides, we
should eat fresh fruit and raw vegetables as snacks. Moreover, to prevent unhealthy
weight gain, it is best to reduce the amount of total fat intake to less than 30% of the total
energy. In this view, we can eat reduced-fat dairy foods and lean meats. Then, we should
limit our consumption of baked, fried, and pre-packaged snacks as these contain
industrially produced trans-fats. As also known, high sodium intake and insufficient
potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease
and stroke. Given that fact, we should reduce our salt intake to the recommended level
of fewer than five grams per day. Salt intake can be reduced by limiting the amount of salt
and high-sodium condiments when cooking and preparing foods. Other than that, we can
limit the consumption of salty snacks and choose products with lower sodium content.
Knowing that consuming free sugars increases the risk of dental caries or tooth decay
and excess calories from foods and drinks high in free sugars also contribute to unhealthy
weight gain, I have come to acquire that we should limit our intake and eat healthy snacks
instead of sugary snacks. With all of these being said, optimum nutrition is the medicine
of tomorrow.

Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Asia’s FIRST IiP – Gold

Management in 2015 Accredited University Granted INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Status
III. Reference

Wright, M. (2021, September 11). Nutrition Food Policy Guidelines. Retrieved from:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405799121000815.

Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Asia’s FIRST IiP – Gold

Management in 2015 Accredited University Granted INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Status