THE NEW FOOD GUIDANCE SYSTEM
Volume 76, Number 4 July/August 2005
Historical Overview of USDA Food Guidance
USDA’s first dietary standards published in the 1890s emphasized protein for building muscle and the need for adequate energy intake from protein, carbohydrate, and fat (11). In 1916, these standards were used to develop the first known grouping scheme which consisted of five nutrient groups (i.e., protein; starch and similar carbohydrates; fat; mineral substances and organic acids; and sugars) (12). Also in 1916, the first official government food guide, called Food For Young Children, was published (13). This national guide translated the nutrient terms used in the above grouping scheme to common foods in five food groups. Food guides in the 1920s and 1930s reflected the discovery of new dietary essentials and economic constraints brought on by the Depression. For example, USDA’s 1933 food guide, Diets At Four Levels of Nutritive Content and Cost, displayed 12 different food groups representative of the basic commodity groups at four different cost levels (14).
The introduction of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in 1941 by the National Research Council, Federal Security Agency (15) led to the development of several food guides designed to translate the RDAs into practical food plans for the public. For example, USDA’s Eat the Right Food to Help Keep You Fit in 1941 (16) included ten food groups and USDA’s National Wartime Nutrition Guide (17) in 1943 depicted seven food groups. In 1946 USDA introduced its postwar version of the seven food groups known as the National Food Guide which was presented in a circular format (18).
In the early 1950s the need to simplify food guides was recognized (11). As a result, USDA introduced a four food group guide in its Essentials of An Adequate Diet…Facts for Nutrition Programs in 1957 (19). In the following year, USDA released its Food For Fitness – A Daily Food Guide, commonly referred to as the Four Food Groups or Basic Four (20). This food guide, which remained a key tool for nutrition education for more than two decades, emphasized a foundation diet of nutrient dense foods. A minimum number of servings from each food group, specifically two servings from each of the Milk and Meat groups and four servings from each of the Vegetable-Fruit and Bread-Cereal groups, was recommended for adults.
During the 1970s and 1980s the direction of food guides began to shift away from focusing on reducing the risk of nutrient deficiency diseases towards concern about obesity and chronic diseases such as heart disease associated with dietary excesses (e.g., fat, calories, sugar). To address the problem of high energy, low nutrient foods in the diet, USDA in 1980 released its Hassle-Free Guide To A Better Diet (21). This guide not only recommended minimum servings of foods from the Four Food Groups to provide the foundation for a nutritionally adequate diet, but also formally recognized and illustrated a fifth group, “Fats, Sweets, Alcohol,” to be used in moderation (21). This new emphasis on the total diet, not just a foundation diet, stemmed from scientific research demonstrating that avoiding excess intake of some food components may help prevent chronic disease (1).
With publication of the first edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 1980 (22), it became clear that a new food guide would be necessary to help consumers follow the advice in the Guidelines, which have been updated every five years based on current scientific knowledge. In the late 1980s, USDA began development of a separate publication and graphic to depict the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The result was the 1992 release of the Food Guide Pyramid, a guide to daily food choices (4). The Pyramid was designed after extensive market research and testing and was found to be the graphic best suited to conveying key dietary concepts of variety, proportionality, and moderation.
The Food Guide Pyramid recommends daily servings from each of five food groups, moving from the grains at the base of the pyramid to the apex where fats, oils, and sweets are recommended to be used sparingly. This food-based dietary guidance tool was not intended to function as a stand-alone doctrine of nutrition policy, but rather to be used in conjunction with a 32-page pocket-size booklet entitled, The Food Guide Pyramid, Home and Garden Bulletin No. 252. This booklet, which explained the pyramid graphic in greater detail and provided food intake patterns at three calorie levels: 1,600, 2,200, and 2,800, was developed to help educators adapt the pyramid to their own audiences and settings. Over the years, a number of variations of the Food Guide Pyramid tailored to specific groups (e.g., children, older adults, vegetarians, ethnic groups) and geographic locations (Mediterranean Food Guide Pyramid) were developed (1,6).
After 13 years as the most recognized and reproduced graphic representative of USDA food guidance to the American public, the Food Guide Pyramid has been replaced with MyPyramid, a new symbol and interactive food guidance system. Major reasons for replacing the Food Guide Pyramid were twofold: to ensure that the USDA food guidance system reflects the latest nutritional science, and to increase its effectiveness in motivating consumers to apply its messages. Although the Food Guide Pyramid was familiar to most Americans, few people actually followed the advice illustrated by the Pyramid (1,5-7). Also, food patterns illustrated by the Food Guide Pyramid needed updating to reflect the most recent nutrition standards such as the Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for nutrients published between 1997 and 2002, information in the latest edition (6th) of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and new data on the nutrient content of foods and food consumption patterns.
DEVELOPING A NEW FOOD GUIDANCE SYSTEM
In 2000, USDA began a multi-year comprehensive reassessment to rebuild the Food Guide Pyramid.
This broad-based reassessment included both a technical and consumer education update. The technical update, which was initiated by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (23), included updating the Food Guide Pyramid daily food intake patterns to meet current nutritional standards. The proposed new food intake patterns were published in the Federal Register for public view and comments (24). The final food intake patterns, which provided the basis for the new food guidance system, identify the amounts of food to consume from the five basic food groups and oils to meet recommended nutrient intakes at 12 different calorie levels ranging from 1,000 to 3,200 calories for specific groups based on age, sex, and physical activity. These food intake patterns are published in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Appendix A-2) (10) and can also be found by logging onto www.mypyramid.gov.
The consumer education update involved a new “system” approach that included development of a new graphic to represent the food guidance system, individualized educational tools, and focused messages. The conceptual plan for the graphic design and proposed consumer messages were published in the Federal Register for public view and comment (25). Suggestions from consumers, health professionals, and food industry representatives, along with results from consumer testing, were used to revise and finalize the new graphic, slogan (“Steps to a Healthier You”), and Web-based interactive educational tools (www.mypyramid.gov).
MYPYRAMID “STEPS TO A HEALTHIER YOU”
MyPyramid, a new symbol and interactive food guidance system which communicates recommendations outlined in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (10), differs in several respects from its predecessor, the 1992 Food Guide Pyramid (4). Most importantly, the one-size-fits-all Food Guide Pyramid has been replaced with a personalized approach to healthful eating and physical activity. The MyPyramid symbol is designed to motivate consumers to use the Web site, www.mypyramid.gov, to customize their diet and exercise regimens.
The MyPyramid Symbol. Although the familiar pyramid shape is retained, the new MyPyramid symbol is divided into six different colored vertical bands (as opposed to the horizontal presentation of food categories in the Food Guide Pyramid) representing the five food groups and oils, thereby symbolizing variety. Experts advise that foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.
Food proportions are shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths are a general guide, not exact proportions, of how much food a person should consume from each food group. The actual portions of each food group an individual should eat to maintain weight can be found by logging onto www.mypyramid.gov. By entering their age, gender, and exercise level, individuals can obtain one of 12 eating plans or pyramids, ranging from 1,000 to 3,200 calories/day, which best matches their personal needs. Unlike the Food Guide Pyramid which recommended a specific number of daily servings or portions, the new personalized plan calls for specific serving sizes given as cups, ounces, and other familiar household measures.
In addition to illustrating concepts of variety and proportionality, the MyPyramid graphic depicts moderation, which is represented by the narrowing of each food group from the bottom to the top of the pyramid. The wider base of each food group stands for foods with little or no solid fats or added sugars, thereby placing emphasis on choosing the most nutrient dense foods at the base.
Another new feature of the MyPyramid symbol is the reminder of the importance of daily physical activity, depicted by a figure climbing steps on the side of the pyramid. This is the first time that a food guide symbol has addressed the importance of finding balance between food intake and physical activity. The slogan, “Steps to a Healthier You,” suggests that individuals can benefit from taking small steps each day to improve their diet and lifestyle.
The MyPyramid graphic is designed to be simple and does not include pictures of the foods in each food group. However, posters for health professionals and schools show representative foods at the bottom of the graphic.
The MyPyramid Web Site. As mentioned above, the MyPyramid Web site offers interactive activities such as the “MyPyramid Plan,” which provides individuals with their own personal pyramid based on their age, gender, and activity level. Other interactive features include diet quality assessment tools found under the “MyPyramid Tracker,” detailed information on foods and portion sizes within each food group found in “Inside MyPyramid,” and tips and resources that include downloadable suggestions for all the food groups and physical activity, and a worksheet to track what you eat.
“MyPyramid Tracker” enables consumers to compare their daily food choices and their physical activity to current recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. Progress on diet and physical activity can be tracked for up to a year. This online dietary and physical activity assessment also analyzes energy balance and provides relevant nutrition and physical activity messages and links to information.
“Inside MyPyramid” provides in-depth information about every food group, as well as discretionary calories and physical activity. For example, in the Milk group section, consumers can find information on what dairy foods are included in this group, how much is needed, what counts as a 1 cup equivalent to milk, dairy’s health benefits and nutrients, and tips for making wise choices. MyPyramid, like the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, recommends daily consumption of 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk or an equivalent amount of yogurt or cheese for Americans 9 years of age and older.
Regarding health benefits, diets rich in milk and milk products help build and maintain bone mass throughout life, which may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and are especially important for bone health during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being built. Diets that include milk products also tend to have a higher overall nutritional quality. The health benefits of milk’s nutrients such as calcium for building bones and teeth and maintaining bone mass), potassium (for maintaining a healthy blood pressure), and vitamin D (for maintaining proper levels of calcium and phosphorus, thereby helping to build and maintain bones) are recognized.
Another feature of the MyPyramid Web site is a section including tips and resources to help consumers get started toward a healthier diet and more physically active lifestyle. Tips are provided on how to make half your grain intake whole grains, vary your choice of vegetables, increase your intake of fruits, get calcium-rich foods, select lean protein sources, and find a balance between food and physical activity.
The MyPyramid Web site also provides materials designed for nutrition professionals and educators to use in their education efforts and for the media to help them understand and report federal food guidance. Throughout the Web site there are links to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other government sites related to nutrition and health such as the Nutrition Facts label, food safety information, food composition data, and information on obesity and major chronic diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes).
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