The need for dietary guidelines in Pakistan.

Diet is one of the most important contributors to health and disease. Developing countries such as Pakistan are facing a growing epidemic of under nutrition resulting in stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies in the population. This severe situation of under nutrition in the country is coupled with rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCD) posing the double burden of disease on the country. These burden of NCD, along with over and under nutrition poses a huge burden on the already over-utilized multi-tiered health care system in Pakistan. In this alarming situation, nutrition education in the form of food based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) naturally becomes the most essential tool for promoting a health culture within the country and eventually changing behaviour.