New government food guidelines to emphasize behavioral change

Food & Drink Weekly, Sept 15, 2003

The federal government released a new proposal for amending the Food Guide Pyramid on September 10. "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 are responsible for federal nutrition policy.

Hentges said the USDA was reviewing every aspect of the Food Guide Pyramid, so consumers can make nutritional choices that are "adequate, but moderate." Depending on how food groups, consumer advocates and other interested parties respond to the proposal, the pyramid could take a different shape when the revisions are published in February 2005. No new shapes have been proposed, Hentges said.

According to the proposal, for the first time USDA takes into account that most Americans do not exercise regularly. "Given the sedentary lifestyles of many Americans, it was considered better not to assume any specific level of physical activity," the USDA said. Hentges said the department may focus its new educational materials on consumers with sedentary lifestyles. Those more active would be encouraged to obtain more specific dietary information through a government Web site. The USDA said its publications would encourage regular exercise.

USDA's proposal also takes into consideration recent concerns over trans fats and the benefits of whole grains. 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.