2010 Dietary Guidelines Acknowledges Multiple Benefits of Three Daily Servings of Dairy Foods
To address the obesity epidemic the nation faces – especially among children – the federal government released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, research-based nutrition guidance that aims to "prevent and/or reduce overweight and obesity through improved eating and physical activity behaviors." Overall, the new Guidelines emphasizes a total diet approach, urging Americans to reduce calories and watch portion sizes; make more nutrient-rich food choices, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products; and move more. With that in mind, the new Guidelines reflects National Dairy Council’s longstanding belief that there are numerous ways to meet important nutrient needs.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines maintains the 2005 Guidelines' recommendation that Americans ages 9 years and older consume three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy every day. However, 85 percent of Americans are falling short of the current dairy recommendations. Because dairy foods are a unique source of essential nutrients, Americans are missing out on critical nutrients by not consuming enough low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt. According to the DGA, current evidence shows that intake of milk and milk products is linked to improved bone health, especially in children and adolescents. In addition, intake of milk and milk products is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and lower blood pressure in adults.
On average, the population is currently consuming close to two dairy servings a day, so adding one additional serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy can help many Americans meet their dairy needs and address important nutrient gaps. Together, milk, cheese and yogurt contribute more than half of the calcium and nearly 60 percent of the vitamin D available in the American food supply.
Dairy foods contribute significantly to nutrient intake in the American diet, with a single glass of milk delivering nine essential nutrients including calcium, potassium, phosphorous, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). In fact, the dairy food group (milk, cheese and yogurt) provides 58 percent of vitamin D, 51 percent of calcium, 28 percent of phosphorus, 28 percent of vitamin A, 26 percent of vitamin B-12, 25 percent of riboflavin, 18 percent of protein, 16 percent of potassium, 16 percent of zinc and 13 percent of magnesium in the U.S. diet. Fortunately, dairy foods are widely available and are also some of the most affordable sources of nutrition available at the supermarket.
Faced with a generation of young people who are overweight and undernourished, the Guidelines underscores concern for the health of America’s youth. Programs like Fuel Up to Play 60, which focuses specifically on meeting recommendations for low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – along with at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily – are playing a critical role in helping the nation’s youth meet their nutrition and fitness goals. Through Fuel Up to Play 60, students are learning healthy habits to apply at home and throughout their lifetime, including choosing nutrient-rich snacks such as fruits or vegetables dipped in reduced-fat yogurt; and finding ways to make nutrient-rich foods portable with items such as low-fat or fat-free milk chugs and low-fat string cheese. Fuel Up to Play 60 also encourages students to start each day with a nutritious breakfast to help meet nutrient goals. In fact, research supports a positive link between eating breakfast and cognitive and academic performance.
For more information about the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, the latest on nutrition research and new tips for incorporating dairy in your diet, visit National Dairy Council's 2010 Dietary Guidelines Resource Center.
Leading Authorities Pledge to Fight Childhood Obesity
New Non-Profit Dedicated to Child Health and Wellness Announced at Super Bowl XLV
On February 4, some of the nation’s principal thought leaders in child health, physical activity and education converged in Dallas, days before Super Bowl XLV, to outline a private and public partnership committed to child health and wellness, and to formally announce the launch of Gen YOUth Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports in-school efforts to improve child nutrition and physical activity.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) brings together leading government authorities; co-signers include U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell; NDC CEO Thomas Gallagher and Gen YOUth Foundation CEO Alexis Glick. Dr. David Satcher, 16th U.S. Surgeon General, also highlighted the severity of the childhood obesity epidemic, and Sam Bradford, Quarterback, #14 for the Saint Louis Rams, 2011 AP Rookie of the Year and Heisman Trophy Winner spoke to the effectiveness of Fuel Up to Play 60 as an actionable solution to the crisis.
Attendees at GenYOUth Foundation’s first Board meeting (from left to right). Top row: Cornelius Bennett, Dr. David Satcher, Dr. Connie Weaver, Steve McCormick, Richard Edelman, Thomas Gallagher, Joe Briggs, Dr. Carolyn Woo, Carla Hall, Patrick Doyle, Rhonda Jordan, Peter Abitante. Bottom row: Alexis Glick, Roger Goodell, Hon. Tom Vilsack, Randy Mooney, Lally Weymouth “This Foundation is a testament to the power of collaboration. We are building a team of players who are committed to combating childhood obesity, and we hope that moving forward, all influencers will join us in taking an active role in eradicating the largest public health issue of this generation,” said Glick. “As the mother of three young boys, I know how important it is to teach healthy choices, but if there isn’t support in the school environment, we lose all the momentum we’ve gained at home.”
With meals and snacks consumed at school providing up to 50 percent of many students' daily nutritional needs, the academic environment provides an ideal setting for turning healthy behaviors into lifelong habits. Gen YOUth Foundation will raise funds to support efforts that achieve this goal, including its flagship effort, Fuel Up to Play 60, which is currently being implemented in more than 70,000 schools nationwide.
Launched with an initial funding from Domino’s Pizza®, Kraft Foods, LALA USA and Leprino Foods, with additional funding from dairy farmers through National Dariy Council, Gen YOUth Foundation is currently governed by a Board of Directors. Additional members of the Board of Directors include former NFL player and FOX Sports Commentator Howie Long and Chef and competitor on Top Chef All-Stars Carla Hall.
To get involved with Gen YOUth Foundation and to learn more about how to make a serious impact on the health of America’s youth, please visit GenYOUthFoundation.org.
2011's Evolving Child Nutrition Environment
February marks the one-year anniversary of Let’s Move!, Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation.
Recently, Let’s Move! met another major milestone with the passing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This legislation dedicates $4.5 billion over the next 10 years to expanding eligibility for school meal programs, establishes nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools and provides a six-cent increase for each school lunch to help cafeterias serve healthier meals. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 comes at a critical time for the health of America’s youth, and in-school programs like Fuel Up to Play 60 are pivotal to the continued fight against childhood obesity.
 Working to reach even more students in 2011, National Dairy Council, in collaboration with Let’s Move!, has partnered with the Ad Council to produce a public service announcement (PSA) encouraging youth to join the Fuel Up to Play 60 movement. Featuring Tony Romo, Quarterback, #9 for the Dallas Cowboys, the Fuel Up to Play 60 PSA launched around Super Bowl XLV, where Fuel Up to Play 60 student Skyler from Dallas, Texas helped kick off the program’s Super Bowl activities by conducting radio interviews with Jason Witten, Tight End, #82 for the Dallas Cowboys. Skyler shared her experiences with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and highlighted the success her school has had in making healthy changes. Fuel Up to Play 60 also hosted a booth and youth clinics at NFL Experience, the league’s fan festival leading up to the Super Bowl.
Shortly following the Super Bowl, Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisor Lisa Riley of Enslow Middle School in Huntington West, Virginia and Student Ambassador Nikki of Philadelphia took the Fuel Up to Play 60 story nationwide in a radio interview for “Life, Love & Health,” a health and wellness-focused radio program. Enslow Middle School won the Fuel Up to Play 60 National Competition in 2009 and Lisa shared how the program has improved her community’s overall health and her students' leadership skills and confidence. Nikki also explained her role as a Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Ambassador, which has allowed her to bring a greater student voice to the program at a national level. The full interviews are available on FuelUpToPlay60.com and NDC.org. For even more information about how to get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, see the “Ask the Expert” section below for a special Q&A with Lisa Riley.
Programs like Fuel Up to Play 60 continue to bring the issue of child health and wellness to the forefront of the conversation among health professionals, who are working to help youth nationwide achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. Head to FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more about getting involved in the program!
Fuel Up to Play 60 Challenges Inspire Student Excitement 
Although the school year is more than half way over, Fuel Up to Play 60 students’ enthusiasm and participation continues to grow. Nearly 6,000 Challenge submissions have been received since September 2010, and that number increases each day. In December and January, more than 700 students submitted their entries for Challenge #3, the “Fuel Up and Play 60 Your Way to the Moon” Challenge. Students worked with friends, classmates and teachers to track how far they walked in a month and upload videos, photos and blog posts to demonstrate how many miles they covered!
To keep this great momentum going, Challenge #4, the “Show Your Spirit” Challenge, asked students to show how they are getting everyone excited for game time! Almost 500 students created videos, songs, commercials and cheers to help get their classmates and teachers involved in making their school a healthier place.
Visit the Fuel Up to Play 60 SchoolTube channel to check out entries from Fuel Up to Play 60 students across the country, and stay tuned for the fifth and final Challenge of the year, “The Game Time Highlights” Challenge. With Challenge #5, students will celebrate their year of Fuel Up to Play 60 by creating a “yearbook” of game time highlights and strategies for maintaining their team spirit throughout the summer. |