|
Food Pyramids of the World
The New! USDA’s MyPyramid.
Background:
The original Food Guide Pyramid, released in 1992, is updated and revised. The overall purpose of the
revision:
1) Improve its effectiveness in motivating consumers to make healthier food choices.
2) Ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA food guidance system reflects the
latest nutritional science. The revision has paralleled and been coordinated with the development of the 2005 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, which the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS released in January
2005.
The USDA has provided consumers with dietary guidance dating back more than 100 years. Until the
release of the new MyPyramid, the original Food Guide Pyramid held the position of the definitive source for nutritional
guidance.
MyPyramid’s daily food intake patterns identify the essential amounts individuals
should consume from each food group and subgroup at a variety of energy levels to maintain a healthy diet.
Since the original Pyramid’s publication, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of
Medicine has developed new nutritional standards. Now collectively titled Dietary Reference Intakes, replaced the
former Recommended Dietary Allowances, (RDA’s). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans; the cornerstone of
federal nutrition policy is now reviewed and updated. In addition, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has released
new data on the nutritional content of foods and on food consumption patterns.
Upon completion, technical research of all Pyramid’s, proposed new food intake patterns, were
published in the September 2003 Federal Register for review and comment.
Working in cooperation with the Advisory Committee of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, updated to
incorporate the latest findings, the new recommendations on dietary intake patterns found a final revision.
The final revision on intake patterns, published in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, helped
facilitate the announcement of the new MyPyramid.
Another reason to revise the original Pyramid’s guidelines focused on its inability to increase
consumer recognition and usage.
Studies unveiled though MyPyramids predecessor, widely recognized, became deficient in its ability to
heighten the interest of the public; therefore, the positive results by following the recommendations became
diminished.
The development process for the Food Guidance System, included the following elements:
- Stakeholder input: A Federal Register notice posted to present the plan and to solicit public comment. The
notice included the conceptual plan for the graphic design and proposed consumer messages. Comments received were
used to help focus the design and development of both motivational and educational aspects of the Food Guidance
System.
- Design: New symbol, slogan, and educational materials. Including new Web-based educational materials.
- Consumer testing: As part of the design and development process, potential images and messages were tested
with consumers to determine how well they communicated the intended content and how appealing consumers found them
to be.
The results from the consumer research team were used to revise and finalize the consumer materials so
they can easily understand these messages and incorporate them into their lifestyle.
The following educational tools were developed:
- Web-based interactive tools that allow consumers to receive a “personalized” set of
recommendations and provide more information and tips to help them follow the recommendations.
- A new graphic and slogan, “Steps to a Healthier You”.
- A poster and mini-poster with graphic, slogan, and key messages.
- A core message framework for professionals, which is used to develop additional educational materials.
Global Pyramids
To view and/or print the files below
requires Adobe Reader.
Please do not call the phone number on the pyramids as there is no one to take your call.
Resources for Educators
Download a free 131 page guide, from
objectives, to nutrients in recipes, food groups, menus, and more.
For a Healthier You
The following documents are supplied so that you may print them as you need them.
This is an effective guide to follow on your way to Better Nutrition and a Healthier You.
Home Page
|
