Scientific Questions Identified for 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

A number of scientific questions to be posed to the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee have been developed as part of the Department of Agriculture’s and Department of Health and Human Services’ new approach to developing the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Guidelines).

These questions will be addressed by committee members during their deliberations and will be key determinants of the areas of scientific expertise needed on the Committee.

The topics and scientific questions focus on life stages including infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months; children and adolescents, ages 2-18 years old; adults, ages 19-64 years old; pregnancy and lactation; and older adults, ages 65 years or older.  The 2020 Guidelines are required to include recommendations for the pregnant and birth to 24-months populations for the first time.  Key topics include current dietary intake and nutrients of public health concern; dietary patterns; beverages; added sugars; types of dietary fats; seafood; and frequency of eating.

The Guidelines serve as the basis for federal nutrition policy and programs and are required by law to be updated every five years through a process jointly conducted by USDA and HHS.

The complete list of topics and questions is available at www.dietaryguidelines.gov.

The article and others are available in the October 2018 Foundation Focus Newsletter