The US government yesterday (Monday 31 January) released the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) in a bid to help US consumers make healthier food choices and confront the country’s obesity epidemic, according to a news statement from the USDA.
The guidelines – announced by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius – aim to provide a consistent, science-based foundation for nutritional guidance to help Americans reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health through improved nutrition and physical activity.
The 7th edition of the DGA places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity given that more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the US are overweight or obese.
Among the 23 recommendations, the DGA advises US consumers eat half a plate of fruits and vegetables at every meal; presenting the “strongest and most compelling message” ever made by the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services about fruits and vegetables, according to the United Fresh Produce Association.
“Today’s announcement is a huge step toward encouraging healthier eating habits across the country, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Dr Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh vice-president of nutrition and health.
“By making an overarching recommendation like ‘half a plate,’ the 2010 DGA provides clearer guidance to Americans that, no matter what their age or calorie intake requirement, everyone needs to strive to have fruits and vegetables make up half of what they eat at each meal.
The 2010 DGA also emphasises eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green, red and orange vegetables.
“The new dietary guidelines policy document points out that most Americans of all ages consume too few fruits and vegetables and too many added sugars and solid fats,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH).
Published jointly by USDA and HHS, the DGA is updated every five years to reflect new nutrition science related to health promotion and disease prevention.
The new 2010 DGA focuses on balancing calories with physical activity, and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains.
“The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore,” explained Agriculture Secretary Vilsack.
“These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions and to complement those choices with physical activity.
“The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease. Improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for our country.”
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