| Food pyramind might change shape Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-09-10-pyramid_x.htmhttp://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-09-10-pyramid_x.htm
Food pyramid might be changing its shape By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — What is now a simple, one-size-fits-all Food Guide Pyramid is likely to become a lot more complicated as government officials consider tailoring nutritional advice to people's age and activity levels.
Proposed changes to recast the ubiquitous pyramid are designed to help people eat better and reduce the nation's obesity epidemic, federal officials said Tuesday. Almost 65% of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.
The current pyramid has guided Americans' diets since 1992. It is used by dieters and nutritionists, taught to schoolchildren and plastered on bread packages. But the government has been reviewing changes for nearly two years in light of recent nutritional recommendations.
A new version, which might be a revised pyramid or a different image altogether, could have a major effect on what people eat.
The proposals will give "us a good start in solving the obesity epidemic," says Eric Hentges, executive director of U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
The final diet image is not expected to be out until early 2005. Meanwhile, the government is seeking comment on several possible changes, including:
•Making overall calorie recommendations and the number of servings based on people with sedentary lifestyles, which reflect the current trend in the USA.
•Listing quantities in cups and ounces instead of servings, which often vary in size.
•Providing more detailed serving information for 12 different calorie levels, from 1,000 calories to 3,200 a day. These would be available on Web sites and in brochures. People could figure out how much to eat based on their age and activity level.
For example, sedentary men ages 35 to 50 might be advised to eat about 2,200 calories a day and consume about 1˝ cups of fruit (three servings); two cups of vegetables (four servings); 6 ounces of meat; two to three cups of milk or other dairy products; and 4˝ cups of grains (nine servings).
The proposals will be published Thursday in the Federal Register. The public has 45 days to comment.
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