The nal food guide pyramid,

called "MyPyramid"
MyPyramid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MyPyramid, released by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) on April 19, 2005, was an update on the earlier American food
guide pyramid. It was used until June 2, 2011, when the USDA's
MyPlate replaced it.
[1]
The icon stresses activity and moderation along
with a proper mix of food groups in one's diet. As part of the
MyPyramid food guidance system, consumers were asked to visit the
MyPyramid website for personalized nutrition information. Signicant
changes from the previous food pyramid include:
Inclusion of a new symbola person on the stairsrepresenting
physical activity.
Measuring quantities in cups and ounces instead of servings.
MyPyramid was designed to educate consumers about a lifestyle consistent with the January 2005 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, an 80-page document. The guidelines, produced jointly by the USDA and
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), represented the ofcial position of the U.S. government
and served as the foundation of Federal nutrition policy.
Contents
1 Overview
2 Themes
3 Differences from the food guide pyramid
4 Controversy
5 Development
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Overview
MyPyramid contained eight divisions. From left to right on the pyramid are a person and six food groups:
Physical activity, represented by a person climbing steps on the pyramid, to illustrate moderate
physical activity every day, in addition to usual activity.
[2]
The key recommendations for 2005 (other
specic recommendations are provided for children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding
women, for older adults and for weight maintenance) are:
[3]
Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health,
The six divisions of the pyramid
psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight. (At least 30 minutes on most, and if
possible, every day for adults and at least 60 minutes each day for children and
teenagers,
[4]
and for most people increasing to more vigorous-
intensity or a longer duration will bring greater benets.)
[3]
Achieve physical tness by including cardiovascular
conditioning, stretching exercises for exibility, and
resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength
and endurance.
[3]
Grains, recommending that at least half of grains consumed be
as whole grains (27%)
Vegetables, emphasizing dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, and dry beans and peas (23%)
Fruits, emphasizing variety and deemphasizing fruit juices (15%)
Oils, recommending sh, nut, and vegetables sources (2%)
Milk, a category that includes uid milk and many other milk-based products (23%)
Meat and beans, emphasizing low-fat and lean meats such as sh as well as more beans, peas, nuts,
and seeds (10%)
There is one other category:
Discretionary calories, represented by the narrow tip of each colored band, including items such as
candy, alcohol, or additional food from any other group.
Themes
The USDA encoded six themes into the design of the MyPyramid icon. According to the USDA,
MyPyramid incorporated:
[5]
Personalization, demonstrated by the MyPyramid website. To nd a personalized recommendation of
the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day, individuals were instructed to visit MyPyramid.gov
(now defunct).
Gradual improvement, represented by the slogan Steps to a Healthier You. It suggests that individuals
can benet from taking small steps to improve their diet and lifestyle each day.
Physical activity, represented by the steps and the person climbing them, as a reminder of the
importance of daily physical activity.
Variety, symbolized by the six color bands representing the ve food groups of MyPyramid and oils.
Suggests that foods from all groups are needed each day for good health.
Moderation, represented by the narrowing of each food group from bottom to top. The wider base
stands for foods with little or no solid fats, added sugars, or caloric sweeteners. Suggests these should
be selected more often to get the most nutrition from calories consumed.
MyPyramid miniposter with sample
food group recommendations
Proportionality, shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much
food a person should choose from each group. The widths are just a general guide.
Differences from the food guide pyramid
In a departure from its predecessor the food guide pyramid, no foods
are pictured on the MyPyramid logo itself. Instead, colored vertical
bands represent different food groups. Additionally, the logo
emphasizes physical activity by showing a person climbing steps on
the side of the pyramid. MyPyramid was intentionally made simpler
than the food guide pyramid after several USDA studies indicated
that consumers widely misunderstood the original design. Consumers
were asked to visit the (now defunct) MyPyramid.gov
(http://www.mypyramid.gov/) website for personalized nutrition
information.
[6][7]
The food guide pyramid gave recommendations measured in serving
sizes, which some people found confusing. MyPyramid gives its
recommendations in common household measures, such as cups, ounces, and other measures that may be
easier to understand.
[6]
The food guide pyramid gave a single set of specic recommendations for all people. In contrast,
MyPyramid has 12 sets of possible recommendations, with the appropriate guide for an individual selected
based on sex, age group, and activity level.
[8]
Controversy
Some claim that the USDA was and is unduly inuenced by political pressure exerted by lobbyists for food
production associations,
[9][10]
in particular dairy and meat.
[11]
Development
In September 2005, a "child-friendly version" of the food pyramid graphic and food guidance system
launched.
[12]
Three of ve meetings had been held as of May 2009 towards the publication of 2010 dietary
guidelines.
[13]
The research process and results used to create the MyPyramid Food Guidance System was documented in a
supplemental issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (http://www.jneb.org/) published in
November/December 2006 that included the following articles:
[14]
Britten P, Marcoe K, Yamini S, Davis, C., "Development of Food Intake Patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBDevelPatterns.pdf)
Marcoe K, Juan WY, Yamini S, Carlson A, Britten P., "Development of Food Group Composite and Nutrient Proles for
MyPyramid Food Guidance System"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBDevelComposites.pdf)
Britten P, Haven J, Davis C., "Consumer Research for Development of Educational Messages for the MyPyramid Food
Guidance System"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBConsumerRes.pdf)
Haven J, Burns A, Britten P, Davis C., "Developing the Consumer Interface for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBConsumerInterface.pdf)
Yamimi S, Juan WY, Marcoe K, Britten P. "Impact of Using Updated Food Consumption and Composition data on Selected
MyPyramid Food Group Nutrient Proles"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBResearchBrief.pdf)
Britten P, Lyon J, Weaver C, Kris-Etherton P, Nicklas T, Weber J, Davis C. "MyPyramid Food Intake pattern Modeling for the
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBPatternModeling.pdf)
Haven J, Burns A, Herring D, Britten P., Great Educational Materials (GEM) No. 426, "MyPyramid.gov Provides Consumers
with Practical Nutrition Information at their Fingertips"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBGEM426.pdf)
Juan WY, Gerrior S, Hiza H., GEM No. 427, "MyPyramid Tracker Assesses Food Consumption, Activity, and Energy Balance
Status Interactively"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBGEM427.pdf)
French L, Howell G, Haven J, Britten P., GEM No. 428, "Designing MyPyramid for Kids materials to help Children Eat
Right, Exercise, Have Fun"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/MyPyramid/DevelopmentMaterials/JNEBsupplement/JNEBGEM428.pdf)
See also
MyPlate, the current USPA nutrition guide from 2011
Ofcial website (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/) , current USPA nutrition guide 2011
History_of_USDA_nutrition_guides
5 A Day, more details on recommended fruit and vegetable portions
Food groups
Food guide pyramid, the predecessor to MyPyramid
Healthy diet
Healthy eating pyramid, an alternative designed to address criticism of the food guide pyramid
The twelve pyramids
References
1. ^ http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/myplatefood-pyramid-resources/usda-myplate-food-pyramid-resources
2. ^ "Dietary Guidelines for Americans"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2005/2005DGPolicyDocument.pdf) (PDF). U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
3. ^
a

b

c
"Dietary Guidelines for Americans"
(http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2005/2005DGPolicyDocument.pdf) (PDF). U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. p. 20. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
4. ^ "How much physical activity is needed?"
(http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/physical_activity_amount_print.html). U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
5. ^ "MyPyramid: USDAs New Food Guidance System" (http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/Louisiana/10080.ppt)
(Microsoft PowerPoint). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion. Retrieved 2009-
05-09.
6. ^
a

b
"USDA Shifts Food Pyramid's Geometry"
(http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/144287/usda_shifts_food_pyramids_geometry/). Chicago Tribune via
RedOrbit. April 16, 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
7. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://mypyramid.gov shows that around Sep. of 2012 the website became a redirect
to http://www.choosemyplate.gov
8. ^ "Government Issues 12 New Food Pyramids"
(http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/144962/government_issues_12_new_food_pyramids/). The Associated Press
via RedOrbit. April 19, 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
9. ^ Zamiska, Nicholas (2005-02-10). "Food Pyramid Frenzy"
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109104875075676781,00.html?mod=health_hs_policy_legislation). Wall Street
Journal. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
10. ^ McArdle, William D., Katch, Frank I., Katch, and Victor L. (2005). Essentials of exercise physiology
(http://books.google.com/?id=L4aZIDbmV3oC&pg=PA103). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins via Google Books.
p. 103. ISBN 0-7817-4991-3.
11. ^ Counihan, Carrie (2002). Food in the USA (http://books.google.com/?id=9nzLJoRXymQC&pg=RA2-PA191).
Routledge via Google Books. p. 191. ISBN 0-415-93232-7. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
12. ^ "Johanns Unveils MyPyramid for Kids" (http://www.mypyramid.gov/global_nav/media_kids_press_release.html)
(Press release). USDA. September 28, 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
13. ^ "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DietaryGuidelines.htm). U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
14. ^ P. Britten, J. Lyon, C. Weaver, P. Kris-Etherton, T. Nicklas, J. Weber, C. Davis (2006). "MyPyramid Food Intake
Pattern Modeling for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee"
(http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1499404606005598). Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
(Elsevier for the Society for Nutrition Education) 38 (6): S143S152. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2006.08.004
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jneb.2006.08.004). PMID 17116592
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17116592). Retrieved 2009-05-09.
External links
"MyPyramid.gov" (http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html). U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Retrieved 2009-05-09.
"Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005"
(http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/). U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Retrieved 2009-05-09.
"American Dietetic Association statement on new 'MyPyramid' "
(http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/ada-ada041905.php) (Press release). American
Dietetic Association via EurekAlert. April 19, 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
"Food Pyramids: What Should You Really Eat?" (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-
should-you-eat/pyramid-full-story/index.html). Harvard School of Public Health. 2007. Retrieved
2009-05-09.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MyPyramid&oldid=591395127"
Categories: Nutrition Nutritional advice pyramids
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