U.S. Identifies New Food Group -
Exercise
With two-thirds of Americans either overweight or obese,
consumers have largely ignored the government's dietary guidelines
and eat too many sweets and fats rather than fruits and vegetables.
"We've got to do something to get a behavioral change," said Eric
Hentges, director of U.S. Agriculture Department's Center for
Nutrition Policy and Promotion. The USDA and the Health and Human
Services (news
- web
sites) are responsible for federal nutrition policy.
Developed in 1992, the Food Guide Pyramid offers a general
outline on how much a healthy person should eat each day from the
five major food groups. It is the main educational tool used to help
consumers interpret the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
The government, which is working to revise both the Pyramid and
the Dietary Guidelines by early 2005, on Wednesday called for input
from dietitians, nutritionists, academics, industry representatives
and other interested professionals.
Under the new Pyramid, the USDA will recognize for the first time
that most Americans do not exercise regularly.
New brochures and educational materials about the new pyramid may
be targeted to consumers with sedentary lifestyles, Hentges said.
Americans who are physically active would be encouraged to obtain
more specific dietary information through a government Web site.
"Given the sedentary lifestyles of many Americans, it was
considered better not to assume any specific level of physical
activity," the USDA said.
The USDA said its publications would encourage regular exercise.
The current pyramid graphically depicts how Americans should
divvy up their food intake each day. Fats, oils and sweets are at
the narrow top of the pyramid with advice to use them sparingly.
Dairy and meat products occupy the next tier of the pyramid, with a
recommended 2 to 3 servings per day. Next are vegetable and fruits,
with a recommended 5 to 9 servings daily. At the bottom of the
pyramid is the bread, rice and pasta group, with 6 to 11 servings
recommended.
The new pyramid may also use cups and ounces to replace the more
vague "servings," the USDA said.
Some nutrition experts were, however, skeptical USDA's efforts
would help solve America's obesity epidemic.
"Nobody understands the pyramid anyway," said Marion Nestle, a
nutrition professor at New York University. "Until USDA starts
giving straight information about foods and diets, it's pretty
unlikely that people will understand what they need to do to lose
weight."
Under the proposal, the USDA offers significantly more detail on
the amount of calories certain groups should consume on a daily
basis. Groups are based on age, sex and level of exercise.
The proposed recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, grains,
meat and milk are based on 12 calorie levels ranging from 1,000 to
3,200 calories. The current Pyramid bases food portions on only
three levels -- 1,600, 2,200 and 2,800 calories.
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