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Recommended dietary allowances harmonization in Southeast Asia
Corazon Vc Barba1, Ma Isabel Z Cabrera
1Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, University of the Philip-pines Los Banos, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines. coravcbarba@yahoo.com
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 23, 2008
Summary
Regional collaboration is needed to harmonize Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) across Southeast Asia. Harmonizing RDAs will improve nutrition standards and reduce trade barriers in the region.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health Policy
- Regional Development
Background:
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region exhibit variations in nutrient recommendations, physiologic groupings, and reference body weights.
- Differences in RDA components across SEA countries pose challenges for technical composition and regional standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address issues and opportunities for harmonizing Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) within the Southeast Asian (SEA) region.
- To achieve consensus on common approaches, concepts, terminologies, and research agendas for RDA harmonization.
Main Methods:
- A regional review of existing RDAs in SEA countries was conducted.
- Workshops and round table discussions involving participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam were organized.
- Specific recommendations for achieving harmonization were developed through consensus-building.
Main Results:
- A general similarity in RDAs across SEA countries was observed, alongside notable exceptions in specific nutrient recommendations.
- Differences in physiologic groupings, reference body weights, included nutrients, and units of expression were identified.
- A consensus was reached on the necessity for regional collaboration and harmonization of RDAs.
Conclusions:
- Harmonization of RDAs in SEA is crucial for strengthening research and development capabilities and fostering economic growth through improved health and nutrition.
- Standardized RDAs can reduce potential trade barriers related to food and nutrition quality assurance standards in the region.
- Regional collaboration is essential to align efforts of governments and industry towards achieving harmonized nutrition standards.
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