New Diet Guidelines Emphasize Healthy Food, Exercise
POSTED: 10:18 am EST January 12, 2005
UPDATED: 11:51 am EST January 12, 2005
WASHINGTON -- The government released dietary guidelines Tuesday that call on Americans to exercise more and eat better. The Agriculture Department revised its food pyramid to encourage Americans to slash their calorie intake and exercise up to 90 minutes a day. It marks the first revision to the food pyramid in 12 years.
An advisory committee found people leading sedentary lifestyles and choosing their food poorly. Many are eating more calories than they need and still aren't getting enough nutrition.Because almost two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and more than half get too little exercise, this year's dietary guidelines place a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity.Among the recommendations is a call to choose whole grains over flour used in white bread or bagels, and to consume more whole vegetables and fruit. Americans also are urged to avoid becoming couch potatoes by increasing their level of exercise to between 30 and 90 minutes a day. The guidelines are based on recommendations of a 13-member panel of scientists and doctors who spent nearly a year reviewing Americans' diet and health. The panel said controlling calories -- not limiting carbohydrates, as some popular diets recommend -- is key to controlling weight."These new Dietary Guidelines represent our best science-based advice to help Americans live healthier and longer lives," said Tommy Thompson, the secretary of Health and Human Services. "Promoting good dietary habits is key to reducing the growing problems of obesity and physical inactivity, and to gaining the health benefits that come from a nutritionally balanced diet."
Guidelines: Key Recommendations
More Information: Dietary Guidelines An advisory committee found people leading sedentary lifestyles and choosing their food poorly. Many are eating more calories than they need and still aren't getting enough nutrition.Because almost two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and more than half get too little exercise, this year's dietary guidelines place a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity.Among the recommendations is a call to choose whole grains over flour used in white bread or bagels, and to consume more whole vegetables and fruit. Americans also are urged to avoid becoming couch potatoes by increasing their level of exercise to between 30 and 90 minutes a day. The guidelines are based on recommendations of a 13-member panel of scientists and doctors who spent nearly a year reviewing Americans' diet and health. The panel said controlling calories -- not limiting carbohydrates, as some popular diets recommend -- is key to controlling weight."These new Dietary Guidelines represent our best science-based advice to help Americans live healthier and longer lives," said Tommy Thompson, the secretary of Health and Human Services. "Promoting good dietary habits is key to reducing the growing problems of obesity and physical inactivity, and to gaining the health benefits that come from a nutritionally balanced diet."
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