The eleventh meeting of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee (Expert Committee) was held in October 2024 by videoconference. 

Evidence to inform the broader guidelines and guidance for older adults 

The eleventh meeting of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee (Expert Committee) was held in October 2024 by videoconference.

Evidence to inform the broader guidelines and guidance for older adults 

During literature searching for older adults, the literature search for the broader guidelines was updated to include new systematic reviews published since 2023. The Expert Committee used the principles applied in meeting six to identify additional systematic reviews to progress to risk of bias assessment for consideration in the broader Guidelines.

The Expert Committee discussed the results of the evidence mapping to identify systematic reviews which may answer the priority research questions for older adults. Members identified potentially suitable systematic reviews to progress to risk of bias assessment.

Members discussed the results of a literature search completed during evidence mapping for older adults to identify reviews for the research question on associations between weight in older people and serious adverse events. Considerations of the identified reviews will continue out of session.

Members noted the status of new systematic reviews being conducted for the 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as some systematic reviews may be relevant for the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Dietary Guidelines Sustainability Working Group 

NHMRC provided an update on the first meeting of the Sustainability Working Group to the Expert Committee. The Expert Committee considered possible priority areas of interest for diet and sustainability as the Working Group sought advice about potential topics to explore.  

Next meeting

The next Expert Committee meeting is planned for before the end of 2024.