Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023;15(3):805-822.
doi: 10.1007/s12571-022-01335-3. Epub 2023 Jan 19.

The feasibility of implementing food-based dietary guidelines and food graphics in Ethiopia

Tesfaye Hailu Bekele  1   2 , Namukolo Covic  3 , Dawit Alemayehu  1 , Laura E Trijsburg  2 , Inge D Brouwer  2 , Edith J M Feskens  2 , Jeanne H M de Vries  2
Affiliations

The feasibility of implementing food-based dietary guidelines and food graphics in Ethiopia

Tesfaye Hailu Bekele et al. Food Secur. 2023.

Abstract

This study aimed to test the acceptability, cultural appropriateness, consumers' understanding, and practicality of the Ethiopian food-based dietary guideline's messages, tips, and food graphics. A qualitative study design was applied with focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Four different participant groups were included: 40 consumers, 15 high-level nutrition experts, 30 frontline community health extension workers (HEWs), and 15 agriculture extension workers (AEWs) to incorporate different stakeholder perspectives. Data collection was conducted using 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 30 key informant interviews (KIIs). Collected data were coded and analyzed using QSR International NVivo V.11 software. Most of the study participants were highly interested in implementing the dietary guidelines once these guidelines are officially released. Based on the participants' views, most of the messages align with the current nutrition education materials implemented in the country except the messages about physical activity and alcohol intake. However, participants suggested defining technical terms such as ultra-processing, whole grain, safe and balanced diet in simpler terms for a better understanding. Practicality, affordability, availability, and access to the market were the major barriers reported for adherence to the guidelines. To be more inclusive of cultural and religious beliefs, findings show that the guideline should address fasting and traditional cooking methods. In conclusion, the dietary guidelines were well received by most stakeholders. They are thought to be feasible once feedback on wording, affordability, availability, and access is considered in the messages, tips, and graphic designs.

Keywords: Acceptability; Dietary guidelines; Feasibility; Practicality; Understanding.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestNone.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The 11 public messages for the Ethiopian Food-Based Dietary Guidelines
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mind map of responses given on the acceptability of the Ethiopian FBDG
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mind map of responses given on the cultural appropriateness of the Ethiopian FBDG
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mind map of responses given on the understanding of the Ethiopian FBDG
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mind map of responses given on the practicality of the Ethiopian FBDG
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Abdelmenan S, Berhane HY, Jirström M, Trenholm J, Worku A, Ekström EC, Berhane Y. The Social Stratification of Availability, Affordability, and Consumption of Food in Families with Preschoolers in Addis Ababa; The EAT Addis Study in Ethiopia. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3168. doi: 10.3390/nu12103168. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Albert JL, Samuda PM, Molina V, Regis TM, Severin M, Finlay B, Prevost JL. Developing Food-Based Dietary Guidelines to Promote Healthy Diets and Lifestyles in the Eastern Caribbean. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2007;39(6):343–350. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2007.07.013. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Anderson GH, Zlotkin SH. Developing and implementing food-based dietary guidance for fat in the diets of children. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2000;72(5):1404–1409. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/72.5.1404. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bach-Faig A, Berry EM, Lairon D, Reguant J, Trichopoulou A, Dernini S, Miranda G. Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public Health Nutrition. 2011;14(12A):2274–2284. doi: 10.1017/S1368980011002515. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bai Y, Naumova EN, Masters WA. Seasonality of diet costs reveals food system performance in East Africa. Science Advances. 2020;6(49):eabc2162. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc2162. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources