MyPyramid, released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 19, 2005, is an update on the ubiquitous U.S. food guide pyramid. The new 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 are asked to visit the MyPyramid website for personalized nutrition information. Significant changes from the previous food pyramid include:

• It measures quantities in cups and ounces instead of "servings".
• It includes a new symbol - a person on the stairs, representing physical activity.

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

The eight divisions of the pyramid

MyPyramid contains eight divisions. From left to right on the pyramid are six food groups:

• Grains, recommending that at least half of grains consumed be as whole grains
• Vegetables, emphasizing dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, and dry beans and peas
• Fruits, emphasizing variety and deemphasizing fruit juices
• Oils, recommending fish, nut, and vegetables sources
• Milk, a category that includes fluid milk and many other milk-based products
• Meat and beans, emphasizing low-fat and lean meats such as fish as well as more beans, peas, nuts, and seeds

There are two other categories:

• Physical activity, represented by a person climbing steps on the pyramid, with at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day recommended (and in some cases 60 or 90 minutes)
• 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 several themes into the design of the MyPyramid icon. According to the USDA, MyPyramid incorporated:

• Personalization, demonstrated by the MyPyramid Web site. To find a personalized recommendation of the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day, individuals must visit MyPyramid.gov. (See the twelve pyramids.)
• 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 physical activity.
• 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 the food guide pyramid, which was launched in 1992, 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.^{citation needed} Consumers are asked to visit the MyPyramid.gov website for personalized nutrition information.

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.

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.

Controversy

Some claim that the USDA was and is unduly influenced by political pressure exerted by food production associations.¹ Some of the recommended portion sizes are up to eight times the size of portions recommended in other countries, although the number of portions recommended are the same.²³

Development

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 that included the following articles:

• Britten P, Marcoe K, Yamini S, Davis, C., "Development of Food Intake Patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System"

• Marcoe K, Juan WY, Yamini S, Carlson A, Britten P., "Development of Food Group Composite and Nutrient Profiles for MyPyramid Food Guidance System"

• Britten P, Haven J, Davis C., "Consumer Research for Development of Educational Messages for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System"

• Haven J, Burns A, Britten P, Davis C., "Developing the Consumer Interface for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System"

• Yamimi S, Juan WY, Marcoe K, Britten P. "Impact of Using Updated Food Consumption and Composition data on Selected MyPyramid Food Group Nutrient Profiles"

• 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

• 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"

• Juan WY, Gerrior S, Hiza H., GEM No. 427, "MyPyramid Tracker Assesses Food Consumption, Activity, and Energy Balance Status Interactively"

• French L, Howell G, Haven J, Britten P., GEM No. 428, "Designing MyPyramid for Kids materials to help Children Eat Right, Exercise, Have Fun"

In September 2005, a "child-friendly version" of the food pyramid graphic and food guidance system launched.⁴

See also

• Food guide pyramid, the predecessor to MyPyramid
• Healthy eating pyramid, an alternative designed to address criticism of the food guide pyramid
• 5 A Day, more details on recommended fruit and vegetable portions
• Healthy diet
• Food groups

References

1. ^ Zamiska, Nicholas (2005-02-10). "Food Pyramid Frenzy", Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 9 December 2006. 
2. ^ "What Counts as a Cup", fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov
3. ^ "Portion sizes", UK National Health Service (NHS), retrieved April 11, 2008
4. ^ "Johanns Unveils MyPyramid for Kids" , USDA Press Release, September 28, 2005

External links

• MyPyramid website, U.S. Government
• "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005", U.S. Government
• "American Dietetic Association statement on new 'MyPyramid'", April 19, 2005
• "Food Pyramids: What Should You Really Eat?", Harvard School of Public Health, 2007 (retrieved April 11, 2008)