Food-based dietary guidelines in Southeast Asian countries: A comparison and update
- Author:
E Siong Tee
1
;
Maria Regina A. Pedro
2
;
Visaratana Therakomen
3
;
Mahenderan Appukutty
4
;
Hardinsyah Ridwan
5
;
Truong Tuyet Mai
6
;
Siok Hui Voon
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Food-based dietary guidelines; pictorial food guide; Southeast Asia
- From: Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2026;32(No. 2):171-204
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Countries in the Southeast Asian region have revised their national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) in response to the public health and nutrition priorities. As a continuous effort to facilitate regional networking, the Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition Network publishes this review as an update of its previous publication in 2016. This review provides an updated descriptive overview of current FBDGs for the general adult population in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. It summarises and compares commonalities and differences in key dietary messages and visual communication tools across countries. The findings indicate strong regional alignment on core dietary recommendations, including consuming a balanced and varied diet with foods from all food groups, prioritising vegetables and fruits, prioritising minimally processed grains or whole grains starchy staples, practising moderation in protein intake from both animal and plant sources, limiting foods high in fats/oils, sugar and salt, being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. Pictorial food guides, such as food pyramids and healthy plates, are widely used, with variations in design that reflect cultural contexts to enhance public understanding. While countries acknowledge the importance of FBDGs, effective dissemination and adoption remain challenging due to limited resources, weak cross-sectoral collaboration, and unsupportive food environments. This review highlights the need for stronger communication strategies, improved understanding of consumer barriers, systematic monitoring and evaluation, inclusion of guidance on away-from-home meals, strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration across the food supply chain, and enhanced regional collaboration to support effective FBDGs implementation in Southeast Asia.
- Full text:2026090310493661426Food-based dietary guidelines in Southeast Asian countries A comparison and update.pdf
