The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to revise daily food intake guidelines, which form the basis for the Food Guide Pyramid, in an effort to tackle the nation's ever-increasing obesity problem.
The USDA said it was reassessing the pyramid, first developed in 1992, to ensure that it continues to be based on the most current sound and comprehensive science. The Government is however under pressure to halt the obesity epidemic, which has led to two-thirds of Americans being either overweight or obese.
The proposed daily food intake patterns will be updated to include the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamins, minerals and macronutrients released between 1997 and 2002. They will also include using precise measurements such as 'cups' or 'ounces' instead of the more vague 'servings' currently used to indicate the recommended intake of a given foodstuff, as perceptions of a serving size can vary greatly.
And the USDA said it would consider modifying guidelines to suit sedentary individuals, based on the assumption that the average American does not exercise regularly.
The current pyramid advises fats, oils and sweets to be used sparingly. Two to three servings of dairy and meat products daily are recommended, along with five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables. At the bottom of the pyramid is the bread, rice and pasta group, advising six to eleven servings.
Once the new pyramid has been designed, being co-ordinated with the review of the Dietary Guidelines planned for 2005,new graphic and educational materials are also to be developed to communicate pyramid messages in ways consumers can more easily understand and put into practice.
Some remain unconvinced that the new design can change much however. "Nobody understands the pyramid anyway," Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor at New York University, told Reuters. "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."
But USDA regards the Food Guide Pyramid as an educational tool and US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman called for support. "Public comment regarding the scientific data and the interpretation of that data is critical at this stage of the process."
The USDA is asking for comments from dietitians, nutritionists, academics, industry representatives and other interested professionals ahead of the finalised Food Guide Pyramid in early 2005. More information on the pyramid and the Federal Register notice can be found on the USDA website.