So, I’m sure that many of you have already heard about the federal government’s new “food icon” - which was unveiled on the 2nd of this month, and replaces MyPyramid (it’s not-even-adolescent predecessor)...but did you know that the USDA has had it’s hand in guiding the food choices of Americans (or, at least, they’d like to think so) since 1916?!
...I couldn’t find a direct one - but a quick click on the “PDF” link under A Brief History of USDA Food Guides should bring you up to speed......
Happy (short) Reading ~
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Interesting read. The Graphics of each corresponding year [when changes were made] definitely reflect a sign of their times.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting thing is the number of years between the changes:
2011 - 2005 [6]
2005 - 1992 [13]
1992 - 1984 [8]
1984 - 1979 [5]
1979 - 1956 [23]
1956 - 1940 [16]
Does it mean from 1956 through 1979 Americans were eating better? Or obesity in Americans became so apparent, the government felt more change was necessary?
I remember the Pyramid without the My and vaguely remember the "Food Wheel." Now ask me if I ever referred to either one of them growing up. The answer is no.
Does the average American really pay attention to these graphics and understand what they mean? Has there been a decline in obesity? The answers are no.
And it shows! The number of obese children in America today is overwhelming and is increasing. According to a July report, the National Center for Health Statistics indicate 15 percent of children ages 6 to 18 were overweight in 2000, up from 6 percent in 1980. Fifteen percent of youngsters ages 6 to 19 and 10 percent of children 2 through 5 were considered seriously overweight. Sources: AHA, NIH, CDC, NHNES.
So, I ask will MyPlate work?
As far as the time span between 1956 and 1979 goes - I think it probably had more to do with lack of funds......as far as the perceived need - I'm not totally sure. That would probably require researching the corresponding Dietary Guidelines of the times to see what the research focused on, and what the statistics looked like...
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you about the average American not understanding the graphics (or the point?!) - and I believe that the short time lapse between the issuance of MyPyramid and MyPlate has something to do with said understanding (or lack thereof). It seems like the 2010 Guidelines, and the corresponding tools (including the MyPlate graphic), are trying to streamline the message - to be more available to a broader audience...
We'll see......
A good history is also Marion Nestle's book Food Politics. I find the plate like individual slices of the pyramid that were put on a plate. I liked AICR's food plate, and used to teach with that. At least they are putting out information based on the latest nutrition evidence-base? It drives me nuts when I read comments on news sites about how the pyramid is an extension of the food lobby industries. I think they've made good progress, I was quite pleased with the latest Dietary Guidelines.
ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective in Europe, the nutrition info here is country-specific, and often hard to find, so I've come to appreciate the fact that our federal guidelines cover all 50 states =) without each state having to put out their own info. And now T, your comments are longer than your post. Sorry! Nilam
YAY for comments - I don't mind at all!!!
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