THE NEW FOOD GUIDANCE SYSTEM
Volume 76, Number 4 July/August 2005
Conclusion
The primary goal of the MyPyramid food guidance system is to encourage American consumers to take actions to improve their dietary and physical activity behaviors. MyPyramid has the potential to meet this goal by providing a simplified stand-alone visual to represent the overall food guidance system; clear nutrition messages tailored to individuals; personalized diet and physical activity recommendations; and access through the Internet. Also, by emphasizing a balance between food intake and physical activity and focusing on nutrient dense foods, use of MyPyramid offers to help counter the nation’s rising obesity epidemic and reduce dietary deficiencies of nutrients such as calcium.
A major challenge is to make the public aware of the MyPyramid food guidance system and encourage use of the information on the MyPyramid interactive Web site (www.mypyramid.gov). USDA is developing versions of MyPyramid tailored to special population groups, such as young children 6 to 11 years of age and Spanish-speaking groups. For people who do not have access to or use the Internet, it will be especially important for health professionals, educators, public health officials, the food industry, and other partners to collaborate to help provide MyPyramid tools in an accessible form. Partnerships can also be helpful in increasing awareness of MyPyramid. Nutrition education can complement this new food guidance system to increase its effectiveness.
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