MyPyramid

MyPyramid, released by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion 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. Significant changes from the previous food pyramid include:

• Inclusion of a new symbol—a person on the stairs—representing physical activity.
• Measuring quantities in cups and ounces instead of servings.

The final food guide pyramid, called "MyPyramid"

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 official position of the U.S. government and served as the foundation of Federal nutrition policy.

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 specific 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, 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

    

    The five divisions of the pyramid

    teenagers,^[4] and for most people increasing to more vigorous-intensity or a longer duration will bring greater benefits.)^[3]
  • Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, 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 fish, nut, and vegetables sources (2%)
• Dairy, a category that includes fluid milk and many other milk-based products (23%)
• Proteins, emphasizing low-fat and lean meats such as fish 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 find 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 benefit 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 exercise.
• Variety, symbolized by the six color bands representing the five 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.
• 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

MyPyramid miniposter with sample food group recommendations

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 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 specific 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 and criticism

See also: Food guide pyramid § Controversy

Some claim that the USDA was and is unduly influenced by political pressure exerted by lobbyists for food production associations,^{[9][10][11][12]} in particular dairy and meat.^[13] Some nutritionists and critics found MyPyramid overly complicated and difficult or impossible to teach.^[14][15]

Development

In September 2005, a "child-friendly version" of the food pyramid graphic and food guidance system launched.^[16]

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 published in November/December 2006.^[17]

See also

• Food portal

• 5 A Day, more details on recommended fruit and vegetable portions
• Food and Nutrition Service
• Food groups
• Healthy diet
• Healthy eating pyramid, an alternative designed to address criticism of the food guide pyramid
• History of USDA nutrition guides
• Human nutrition
• Society for Nutrition Education

References

1. "USDA MyPlate & Food Pyramid Resources". fnic.nal.usda.gov. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013.
2. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005" (PDF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
3. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005" (PDF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2017. p. 20
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2005. "How much physical activity is needed?". mypyramid.gov. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010.
5. "MyPyramid: USDA's New Food Guidance System". healthymeals.nal.usda.gov. therenegadeguy.com Archived October 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
6. "USDA Shifts Food Pyramid's Geometry". Chicago Tribune via RedOrbit. April 16, 2005. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
7. "shows that around Sep. of 2012 the website became a redirect to". Archived from the original on April 20, 2005. choosemyplate.gov
8. "Government Issues 12 New Food Pyramids". redorbit.com. The Associated Press via RedOrbit "Government Issues 12 New Food Pyramids". Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
9. Zamiska, Nicholas (February 10, 2005). "Food Pyramid Frenzy". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2006.
10. McArdle, William D.; Katch, Frank I.; Katch, Victor L. (2005). Essentials of exercise physiology. p. 103. ISBN 0-7817-4991-3.
11. Campbell, C.T. and Campbell, T.W., The China Study, (Dallas:BenBella Books, 2007, ISBN 978-1-932100-38-9 (cloth) ISBN 978-1-935251-00-2 (ebook))
12. Nestle, M., Food Politics (Berkley:University of California Press, 2002, ISBN 0-520-22465-5)
13. Counihan, Carrie (2002). Food in the USA. p. 191. ISBN 0-415-93232-7. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
14. Stephenson, Emily (June 2, 2011). "Pyramid tossed, dinner plate is new U.S. meals plan". Reuters. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
15. Nestle, Marion (May 31, 2011). "Goodbye, Food Pyramid: USDA to Announce a New 'Food Icon'". The Atlantic. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
16. "Johanns Unveils MyPyramid for Kids" (Press release). mypyramid.gov. September 28, 2005. Archived from the original on November 8, 2011.
17. 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". Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 38 (6). Elsevier for the Society for Nutrition Education: S143–S152. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2006.08.004. PMID 17116592.

External links

• "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005". U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
• "American Dietetic Association statement on new 'MyPyramid'" (Press release). American Dietetic Association via EurekAlert. April 19, 2005. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
• "Food Pyramids: What Should You Really Eat?" (PDF). Harvard School of Public Health. 2007.
• Official website, USPA nutrition guide 2011