What Factors Determine the USDA Pyramid?

The USDA Pyramid is set by the United States Department of Agriculture and is the basis for the nutrition labels found on most food items. The USDA recently released an updated version of the 1992 pyramid and refers to this new information as MyPyramid. The USDA states that MyPyramid reflects the most up-to-date science research and is designed to be the main component of the food guidance system by offering consumers a personalized approach to healthy eating.

Sources

• The 2005 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the information on which federal nutrition policy is based. The United States Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The first publication was released in 1980. Revised editions were published in 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and January 2005. A 2010 version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was recently released and it is available at healthy.gov. The process for updating the pyramid was coordinated with the activities of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, however, this committee was not responsible for revising the Food Guide Pyramid (mypyramid.gov).

Conflict of Interest

• The revised nutritional pyramid was released and endorsed by the Agriculture Department. Similarly, the pyramid recommends high numbers of servings involving wheat and grain-based products. The MyPyramid neglects to include individuals who practice a vegan lifestyle. In addition, concerns have been raised that the factors in the pyramid were influenced by food industry lobbyists rather than nutritional research. The new pyramid advocates several servings of carbohydrates, which is contradictory to research advocating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.

Purpose

• The United States Department of Agriculture has been responsible for providing nutritional guidance over the last 100 years. The new MyPyramid aims to provide consumers with tools and advice that help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and make choices that will benefit their health in the long-term. These tools provide personalization and information on demand. The USDA website provides several posters and print offs for schools to use and calculations for personalized nutritional results.

Research

• Before releasing the new pyramid, the United States Department of Agriculture tested several designs -- pyramid-shaped designs, pyramid-like designs and non-pyramid designs -- in focus groups. Several rounds of consumer testing were used to identify the appeal of various designs and to refine elements of the top ranking designs. The updated pyramid maintains the older version's original shape, but incorporates physical activity as part of its criteria.

Guidelines

• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides science-based advice to promote overall health and prevent chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. The recommendations within the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005 and 2010 version) are written for the general population over 2 years old. The Dietary Guidelines are the basis of federal food, nutrition education and information programs.