152682 Evaluating national nutrition promotion programs in Singapore

Monday, November 5, 2007: 4:30 PM

Andy Tan , MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Mabel Deurenberg-Yap , Health Services Research & Evaluation, Healthcare Performance Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore
Annie Ling , Research and Strategic Planning Division, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore
Ratnala Sukanya Naidu , Research and Evaluation, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore
Swee Ai Ng , Research and Strategic Planning Division, Health Promotion Board, Singapore, Singapore
Objective: To illustrate the evaluation of national nutrition programs. Methods: Analysis of trends of dietary practices and nutrient intake among the various population groups with data from the National Nutrition Surveys. Findings: Based on data in 1998 and 2001, the priority areas were to increase fruit and vegetable intake; decrease total fat and saturated fat intake; increase wholegrain products intake; reduce salt/sauces addition. Multi-pronged strategies were implemented to promote healthier food choices through mass media public education, face-to-face strategies and working with the food industry. The trends in dietary practices and intakes improved in terms of proportion of adults who consumed at least 2 servings of fruit (from 20 to 28 %) and 2 servings of vegetables (from 15 to 43 %) daily. The proportion who consumed at least 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables daily also increased from 5 to 14%. There was also an increase in proportion of Singaporeans that did not add salt/sauces to their food (40 to 63%). However, more efforts are necessary to address inadequate intakes of wholegrain products and excessive fat and saturated fat intake. Few Singaporeans consumed the recommended 1 serving of wholegrain product daily with 13% consuming at least 0.5 servings daily. More Singaporeans had excessive total fat (43%) and saturated fat intake (85%) compared to 1998 (25% and 84% respectively). Indians (52%) and those 18-29 years old (59%) were most likely to have excessive total fat intake. Evaluation findings would be used for further planning of intervention programs.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the processes involved in the evaluation of national nutrition promotion programs in Singapore. 2. Describe the key trends in the dietary practices and nutrient intakes of Singaporeans. 3. Assess the impact of these trends on the planning of future strategies in nutrition promotion programs for Singapore.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.