The need for dietary guidelines in Pakistan

Diet is one of the most important contributors to health and disease. developing countries such as pakistan are facing a growing epidemic of under nutrition resulting in stunting,wasting and micronutrient deficiencies in the population. this severe situation of under nutrition in the country is coupled with rising tide of non-communicable diseases (ncd) posing the double burden of disease on the country. these burden of ncd,along with over and under nutrition poses a huge burden on the already overutilized multi-tiered health care system in pakistan. in this alarming situation,nutrition education in the form of food based dietary guidelines (fbdgs) naturally becomes the most essential tool for promoting a health culture within the country and eventually changing behaviour. © 2017,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.