How Systems Science Can Inform Dietary Guidelines

A new report provides strategies that could add value to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans process and impact, with particular emphasis on the role systems science could play on implementing the Dietary Guidelines. Applicability of Systems Science Approaches to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans elaborates on who would be responsible for implementing the approach, what partners would be necessary, and the relative timelines and resources needed.

The report’s genesis was a 2-day workshop held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) headquarters, the sponsor of the initiative, and co-chaired by Ross Hammond, PhD, from Washington University and The Brookings Institution and Lila Gutuskey, PhD, a Principal Research Associate from Westat, as well as Westat staff members Rachel Neenan, MSPH, a Research Associate, and Hilary Wagner, MPH, a Senior Associate. The report was developed in response to recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).