Dietary energy in the food supply (or dietary energy supply) is the amount of kilocalories per person per day that is available in a country's food supply. This indicator gives a sense of if a country has sufficient food to meet population-level energy (caloric) needs. However, it does not take into consideration the distribution and access to this dietary energy among different population subgroups, nor the varying levels of energy needs that exist among these groups.
Proportion of dietary energy available in a country's food supply that is derived from cereals, roots, and tubers (often referred to as staple foods). Calculated as the food supply in kilocalories per person per day from cereals and starchy roots divided by the total kilocalories per person per day. Communities with lower shares of dietary energy from staple foods may have higher nutritional quality in their food supplies. This is because more non-staple foods; which are typically more nutrient-dense than cereals, roots and tubers are consumed.
The Dietary Guidelines module for a Digital Information and Surveillance Observatory system can provide valuable information and services to users by focusing on promoting healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness. Here are some key features that can be included in such a module
Nutritional Information Database: The module can maintain a comprehensive database of nutritional information for various food items, including macronutrients (such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and calorie content. This database can be regularly updated to ensure accuracy.
Personalized Nutritional Recommendations: The module can offer personalized nutritional recommendations based on user profiles, including factors like age, gender, weight, height, and physical activity levels. These recommendations can be aligned with the official dietary guidelines of the respective region or country.
Meal Planning and Recipe Suggestions: The module can assist users in meal planning by providing suggestions for balanced meals based on their dietary requirements. It can offer recipe ideas that incorporate locally available agricultural produce to promote the consumption of fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.
Food Diary and Tracking: Users can maintain a food diary within the Digital information and surveillance observatory system, where they can record their daily food intake. The module can analyze this data and provide insights on nutrient intake, highlight any deficiencies, and offer suggestions for achieving a more balanced diet.
Allergen and Dietary Restriction Management: The module can include features to manage food allergies and dietary restrictions. Users can specify their allergies or dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.), and the system can provide recommendations and alerts to ensure compliance with these restrictions.
Nutrition Labeling Support: The module can assist users in generating nutrition labels for their agricultural products or food items. This feature can help farmers or food producers comply with labeling regulations and provide accurate information about the nutritional content of their products.
Educational Resources: The module can offer educational resources such as articles, videos, or interactive guides on nutrition, healthy eating habits, and the importance of agricultural produce in a balanced diet. These resources can enhance users’ understanding of nutrition and help them make informed food choices.
Integration with Wearable Devices and Health Apps: The module can integrate with wearable devices or health apps to capture users’ physical activity data, such as steps taken or calories burned. By combining this data with the nutritional information, the module can provide more accurate recommendations and insights.
Analytics and Reporting: The module can generate reports and analytics on users’ dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and overall compliance with recommended guidelines. These reports can be helpful for individuals, health professionals, or researchers interested in monitoring and evaluating dietary habits.
Mobile Accessibility: To ensure convenience and accessibility, the module can have a mobile application or a responsive web interface, allowing users to access the features on their smartphones or tablets while on the go.
Data Entry Forms on the Platform: These allow users to input and update relevant information conveniently. These forms serve as a centralized and structured means of collecting
data, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the system. Users can access these forms to input various data points such as customer details, diet information, etc.