The New 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Prevention of CVD and other Chronic Diseases: An Update

This product is free for SCAN members.

This webinar was presented live on April 28, 2021.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are reissued every five years based on an extensive systematic review of the world's literature on diet and health as reviewed by the US dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (2020 USDGAC). The 18 month process involves a very highly regulated review of relevant research beginning with clearly identified criteria defining studies that include the required data access. Publications that merit inclusion in the systematic reviews report all of the variables that fit these established criteria and permit full evaluation within the scientific question to be addressed. These reviews build upon the prior DGAC's review but also advance the more recent results that can update and or refute prior guidance. The newest component in the 2020 Guidelines is the introduction of dietary recommendations that begin at birth. Whereas previously all of the DGA's began at age 2, this decision reflects advocacy by the 2010 DGAC who strongly encouraged this change. Data are limited in this "B-24" age group, but the interest in advancing this area and encouraging publications is strong.

This particular webinar will focus on the fats and seafood/dietary patterns chapters as the relevant domains will be summarized. The topics of research interest beyond the B-24 age group that relate to the diet over the life course that is associated with lowest risk for development of cardiovascular disease. It is also acknowledged that rapidly advancing work on precision diet for health as it currently represents a major focus of the NIH Strategic Plans for Diet and health over the decade ahead.

CPEU: 1.0

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the updated approach towards identifying priority topics for review by the DGAC
2. Identify the current recommendations regarding dietary fats and seafood for prevention and treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
3. Recognize the current status of evidence-based dietary patterns that are associated with prevention and treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Speaker

Linda Van Horn, PhD, RDN

Linda Van Horn, PhD, RDN, is Professor and Chief of the Nutrition Division, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.

Dr. Van Horn did her undergraduate work in Dietetics at Purdue, Internship at Indiana University, Indianapolis, and she has a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Her PhD is in Public Health/Nutrition from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She was Editor and Chief of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics from 2003-2013, the allotted two terms. She Chaired the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and was privileged to serve as a member of the recently completed 2020 US DGAC.

She is a long-time volunteer and Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA) and is currently serving as the Academy/SCAN Liaison to the AHA Nutrition Committee.