Antoaneta Sawyer, PhD
On June 15, 2010, the USDA’s Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL) specializing in conducting systematic reviews to inform the US public on the changes in Federal nutrition policy and programs announced the preliminary release of the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
Generally, the dietary guidelines are the foundation of the My Pyramid Food Guidance System, formerly known as the Food Pyramid. (Source, Cnpp.Usda) The dietary guidelines are based on what the USDA's experts have determined to be the "best scientific knowledge" on food, diet and nutrition, including requirements for physical activity, and lifestyle changes, related to what individuals aged 2 years and older. These guidelines are under review every five years and provide the foundation of the latest federal government general (food and nutrition) policy based on latest research, labeling, and food promotion rules. (Source, Cnpp.Usda)
During the 70’s, the USDA’s nutrition recommendations were based on high animal protein and eggs. The increasing rate of heart attacks, diabetes and strokes during that time requested drastic changes of the food pyramid towards the high carbohydrate- low fat diet corner. Thus, the next USDA guidelines included higher carbs, lower fat and lean protein. For the first time since 1980, the dietary guidelines for Americans emphasized more on exercise for weight loss and less on cardiovascular and other modern diseases risk.
Despite of the drastic changes in nutrition and active lifestyle recommendations, the Americans are still facing today a pandemic rate of metabolic syndrome and obesity, while the heart disease and cancer are leading the list of modern mortality statistics. The main problem in 70-80's years guidelines was that there were not exact specifications of what kind of carbs exactly were recommended (e.g. breads, pastas, drinks, oats and cereals, or just vegetables and fruits).
The 2005 y guidelines were based on the rapidly increasing rate of obesity in the U.S. The Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson stated, “Two-thirds of the Americans are still overweight or obese, and more than 50 percent of us Americans do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, so the new guidelines emphasize physical activity and calorie control more than ever before.” Thus, the 2005 guidelines specific recommendations, included eating whole grains, reducing fat intake to less than 30% of the total intake, eating whole (home prepared) foods as opposed to overly processed foods. In addition they added a daily exercise routine at least 30- 60 minutes of moderate exercise on a daily basis. It was underlined that those who need to lose weight should exercise between 60 and 90 minutes each day.
The new 2010 Advisory Committee report observations are the following: "The single most significant adverse health trend among US children in the past 40 years has been the dramatic increase in overweight and obesity. Since the early 1970s, the prevalence of overweight and obesite people has approximately doubled among children ages 2 to 11 years, and tripled among adolescents’ ages 12 to 19 years. Not only is obesity associated with adverse health effects during childhood, but evidence documents increased risk of future chronic disease in adult life. “
While kindly acknowledging the lack of progress, the Advisory Committee is advising Americans to consume ‘nutrient-dense’ foods with a follow up note ‘but again not too much of them.’ In their proper words, “Currently, Americans consume less than 20 percent of the recommended intake for whole grains, less than 60 percent for vegetables, less than 50 percent for fruits, and less than 60 percent for milk and milk products. Inadequate intakes of nutrient-dense foods from these basic food groups place individuals at risk for lower than recommended levels of specific nutrients, namely vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and dietary fiber. “
The new guidelines can be shortly summarized with the following statements:
a) Eating a healthy balance of nutritious (nutrient dense) foods continues as a central point in the dietary guidelines, but balancing nutrients is not enough for health.
b) There is an emphasis on increased availability of fresh produce for consumers.
c) To be placed a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity. The amount of total calories also should be considered.
d) Reduction of salt intake by 40%. The new guidelines lower the recommended maximum daily intake of salt from 2,300 milligrams to 1,500 milligrams.
e) General reduction of solid fats and added sugar (sugary foods and drinks).
f) To give preference on plant (vegetables and fruits) based diet.
g) To be selected low fat, high on fiber, dairy and whole grains based diet.
h) Another emphasis is on the improvement in nutrition based on cooking skills and home cooked healthy foods and on creating new nutrition programs and physical education in schools. (Source, Cnpp.usda.gov)
Despite vit. D, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid are positively included in the guidelines for Total American diet, the general use of dietary formulas and other supplements among healthy Americans is completely dismissed. Here is the final executive summary statement to your attention: “A daily multivitamin/mineral supplement does not offer health benefits to healthy Americans.”
Generally, the use of supplements is oriented to selected demographic groups of the population: “Women of reproductive capacity should consume foods rich in folate and iron, and older individuals should consume fortified foods rich in vitamin B12 or B12 supplements, if needs cannot be met through whole foods. Nutritious breakfast consumption and in some cases nutrient-dense snacking may assist in meeting nutrient recommendations, especially in certain subgroups.”
Their final statement is the following: “The food industry will need to act to help Americans achieve these goals.” “Every aspect of the industry, from research and development to production and retail, needs to contribute healthful food solutions to reduce the intake of SoFAS [solid fats and added sugar], certain refined grain products, and sodium. Sound health and wellness policies at the local, state, and national level also can help facilitate these changes.”
Generally, the dietary guidelines are the foundation of the My Pyramid Food Guidance System, formerly known as the Food Pyramid. (Source, Cnpp.Usda) The dietary guidelines are based on what the USDA's experts have determined to be the "best scientific knowledge" on food, diet and nutrition, including requirements for physical activity, and lifestyle changes, related to what individuals aged 2 years and older. These guidelines are under review every five years and provide the foundation of the latest federal government general (food and nutrition) policy based on latest research, labeling, and food promotion rules. (Source, Cnpp.Usda)
During the 70’s, the USDA’s nutrition recommendations were based on high animal protein and eggs. The increasing rate of heart attacks, diabetes and strokes during that time requested drastic changes of the food pyramid towards the high carbohydrate- low fat diet corner. Thus, the next USDA guidelines included higher carbs, lower fat and lean protein. For the first time since 1980, the dietary guidelines for Americans emphasized more on exercise for weight loss and less on cardiovascular and other modern diseases risk.
Despite of the drastic changes in nutrition and active lifestyle recommendations, the Americans are still facing today a pandemic rate of metabolic syndrome and obesity, while the heart disease and cancer are leading the list of modern mortality statistics. The main problem in 70-80's years guidelines was that there were not exact specifications of what kind of carbs exactly were recommended (e.g. breads, pastas, drinks, oats and cereals, or just vegetables and fruits).
The 2005 y guidelines were based on the rapidly increasing rate of obesity in the U.S. The Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson stated, “Two-thirds of the Americans are still overweight or obese, and more than 50 percent of us Americans do not get the recommended amount of physical activity, so the new guidelines emphasize physical activity and calorie control more than ever before.” Thus, the 2005 guidelines specific recommendations, included eating whole grains, reducing fat intake to less than 30% of the total intake, eating whole (home prepared) foods as opposed to overly processed foods. In addition they added a daily exercise routine at least 30- 60 minutes of moderate exercise on a daily basis. It was underlined that those who need to lose weight should exercise between 60 and 90 minutes each day.
The new 2010 Advisory Committee report observations are the following: "The single most significant adverse health trend among US children in the past 40 years has been the dramatic increase in overweight and obesity. Since the early 1970s, the prevalence of overweight and obesite people has approximately doubled among children ages 2 to 11 years, and tripled among adolescents’ ages 12 to 19 years. Not only is obesity associated with adverse health effects during childhood, but evidence documents increased risk of future chronic disease in adult life. “
While kindly acknowledging the lack of progress, the Advisory Committee is advising Americans to consume ‘nutrient-dense’ foods with a follow up note ‘but again not too much of them.’ In their proper words, “Currently, Americans consume less than 20 percent of the recommended intake for whole grains, less than 60 percent for vegetables, less than 50 percent for fruits, and less than 60 percent for milk and milk products. Inadequate intakes of nutrient-dense foods from these basic food groups place individuals at risk for lower than recommended levels of specific nutrients, namely vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and dietary fiber. “
The new guidelines can be shortly summarized with the following statements:
a) Eating a healthy balance of nutritious (nutrient dense) foods continues as a central point in the dietary guidelines, but balancing nutrients is not enough for health.
b) There is an emphasis on increased availability of fresh produce for consumers.
c) To be placed a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity. The amount of total calories also should be considered.
d) Reduction of salt intake by 40%. The new guidelines lower the recommended maximum daily intake of salt from 2,300 milligrams to 1,500 milligrams.
e) General reduction of solid fats and added sugar (sugary foods and drinks).
f) To give preference on plant (vegetables and fruits) based diet.
g) To be selected low fat, high on fiber, dairy and whole grains based diet.
h) Another emphasis is on the improvement in nutrition based on cooking skills and home cooked healthy foods and on creating new nutrition programs and physical education in schools. (Source, Cnpp.usda.gov)
Despite vit. D, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid are positively included in the guidelines for Total American diet, the general use of dietary formulas and other supplements among healthy Americans is completely dismissed. Here is the final executive summary statement to your attention: “A daily multivitamin/mineral supplement does not offer health benefits to healthy Americans.”
Generally, the use of supplements is oriented to selected demographic groups of the population: “Women of reproductive capacity should consume foods rich in folate and iron, and older individuals should consume fortified foods rich in vitamin B12 or B12 supplements, if needs cannot be met through whole foods. Nutritious breakfast consumption and in some cases nutrient-dense snacking may assist in meeting nutrient recommendations, especially in certain subgroups.”
Their final statement is the following: “The food industry will need to act to help Americans achieve these goals.” “Every aspect of the industry, from research and development to production and retail, needs to contribute healthful food solutions to reduce the intake of SoFAS [solid fats and added sugar], certain refined grain products, and sodium. Sound health and wellness policies at the local, state, and national level also can help facilitate these changes.”
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