Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025: Understanding the Scientific Process, Guidelines, and Key Recommendations.

The <i>Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025</i> was issued jointly by the US Departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services in December 2020. It is the ninth edition of the <i>Dietary Guidelines</i> and is the first to provide recommendations by life stage, from birth to older adulthood. The <i>Dietary Guidelines</i> is grounded in the current body of scientific evidence on diet and health outcomes and aims to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. The process to develop the <i>Dietary Guidelines</i> involved 4 steps: (1) identifying the topics and supporting scientific questions, (2) appointing a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) to review current scientific evidence, (3) developing the new edition of the <i>Dietary Guidelines</i>, and (4) implementing the <i>Dietary Guidelines</i>. The 2020-2025 edition provides 4 overarching guidelines and supporting key recommendations that encourage healthy dietary patterns across the life span. The foods and beverages that people consume have a profound impact on health, and it is never too late or too early to eat healthfully.