Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for 71% of deaths annually, with similar trends observed in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Healthy Plate 2024 (SHP-2024) was developed by the National Nutrition Committee of the Saudi Food and Drug Auth...

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Main Authors: Omar A. Alhumaidan, Sarah M. Alkhunein, Shihana A. Alakeel, Ghadir A. Fallata, Madhawi M. Aldhwayan, Asalah Y. Alfaifi, Wala M. Albalwi, Haya AlZeer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Nutrition
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01146-7
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author Omar A. Alhumaidan
Sarah M. Alkhunein
Shihana A. Alakeel
Ghadir A. Fallata
Madhawi M. Aldhwayan
Asalah Y. Alfaifi
Wala M. Albalwi
Haya AlZeer
author_facet Omar A. Alhumaidan
Sarah M. Alkhunein
Shihana A. Alakeel
Ghadir A. Fallata
Madhawi M. Aldhwayan
Asalah Y. Alfaifi
Wala M. Albalwi
Haya AlZeer
author_sort Omar A. Alhumaidan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for 71% of deaths annually, with similar trends observed in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Healthy Plate 2024 (SHP-2024) was developed by the National Nutrition Committee of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to address the population’s nutritional needs and reduce the burden of NCDs. SHP-2024 provides balanced and culturally appropriate dietary recommendations. Methods SHP-2024 was designed using optimization modeling techniques, incorporating global best practices, expert consultations, and rigorous validation processes. The dietary patterns were calibrated to ensure nutritional adequacy and economic feasibility. Monte Carlo simulations with 10,000 iterations were used to evaluate nutrient intake adequacy across various calorie levels (1,600–3,200 kcal). Nutritional constraints and economic assessments adhered to Saudi regulatory standards and data from the General Authority for Statistics. Results SHP-2024 met the average requirements for most macronutrients and micronutrients, including protein, key vitamins, and minerals, across all calorie patterns. However, the amount of vitamin E provided by SHP-2024, relative to the average requirement of 12.00 mg (95% CI: 8.40–15.60), covered only 60.93% of requirement in males and 60.61% in females. Choline intake with average requirement of 320.00 mg (95% CI: 224.00–416.00), met 73.71% of requirement in males and 73.36% in females. The cost of dietary patterns ranged from 380.70 to 762.70 SAR, indicating overall affordability. Conclusions SHP-2024 provides optimized dietary guidance suited to Saudi needs, supporting efforts to reduce NCD burdens. While most nutritional targets were achieved, persistent gaps in vitamin E and choline intake require targeted strategies in future updates to enhance dietary adequacy.
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spelling doaj-art-d86de232795d41aaa9dadf3c10c78e772025-08-20T03:04:22ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-08-0111111510.1186/s40795-025-01146-7Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelinesOmar A. Alhumaidan0Sarah M. Alkhunein1Shihana A. Alakeel2Ghadir A. Fallata3Madhawi M. Aldhwayan4Asalah Y. Alfaifi5Wala M. Albalwi6Haya AlZeer7Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan UniversityKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesDepartment of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityAbstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for 71% of deaths annually, with similar trends observed in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Healthy Plate 2024 (SHP-2024) was developed by the National Nutrition Committee of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to address the population’s nutritional needs and reduce the burden of NCDs. SHP-2024 provides balanced and culturally appropriate dietary recommendations. Methods SHP-2024 was designed using optimization modeling techniques, incorporating global best practices, expert consultations, and rigorous validation processes. The dietary patterns were calibrated to ensure nutritional adequacy and economic feasibility. Monte Carlo simulations with 10,000 iterations were used to evaluate nutrient intake adequacy across various calorie levels (1,600–3,200 kcal). Nutritional constraints and economic assessments adhered to Saudi regulatory standards and data from the General Authority for Statistics. Results SHP-2024 met the average requirements for most macronutrients and micronutrients, including protein, key vitamins, and minerals, across all calorie patterns. However, the amount of vitamin E provided by SHP-2024, relative to the average requirement of 12.00 mg (95% CI: 8.40–15.60), covered only 60.93% of requirement in males and 60.61% in females. Choline intake with average requirement of 320.00 mg (95% CI: 224.00–416.00), met 73.71% of requirement in males and 73.36% in females. The cost of dietary patterns ranged from 380.70 to 762.70 SAR, indicating overall affordability. Conclusions SHP-2024 provides optimized dietary guidance suited to Saudi needs, supporting efforts to reduce NCD burdens. While most nutritional targets were achieved, persistent gaps in vitamin E and choline intake require targeted strategies in future updates to enhance dietary adequacy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01146-7Dietary guidelinesFood patternFood pricingFood costCaloriesReference value
spellingShingle Omar A. Alhumaidan
Sarah M. Alkhunein
Shihana A. Alakeel
Ghadir A. Fallata
Madhawi M. Aldhwayan
Asalah Y. Alfaifi
Wala M. Albalwi
Haya AlZeer
Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
BMC Nutrition
Dietary guidelines
Food pattern
Food pricing
Food cost
Calories
Reference value
title Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
title_full Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
title_fullStr Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
title_full_unstemmed Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
title_short Saudi healthy plate-2024: framework for developing, modeling, and evaluating Saudi Arabia’s dietary guidelines
title_sort saudi healthy plate 2024 framework for developing modeling and evaluating saudi arabia s dietary guidelines
topic Dietary guidelines
Food pattern
Food pricing
Food cost
Calories
Reference value
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01146-7
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