The original Food Guide Pyramid, released in 1992, has been updated and revised. The overall purposes of the revision were 1) to improve its effectiveness in motivating consumers to make healthier food choices and 2) ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food guidance system reflects the latest nutritional science. The revision has paralleled and been coordinated with the development of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released in January 2005.

Historically, USDA has provided consumers with dietary guidance dating back more than 100 years. Until the release of MyPyramid, the original Food Guide Pyramid was the most recent form of federal nutrition guidance for consumers.

Technical research – to update the science base

MyPyramid’s daily food intake patterns identify amounts to consume from each food group and subgroup at a variety of energy levels. To ensure that these patterns reflect the latest science, they were updated to meet all current nutrition standards through a technical research process.

Since the original Pyramid’s publication, new nutrition standards have been published by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine. These are now collectively titled Dietary Reference Intakes, and replace the former Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy, also has been reviewed and updated. In addition, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has released new data on the nutritional content of foods and on food consumption patterns. These data were used to determine if various patterns of food intake meet the nutritional standards. All of these data were used in the technical research to update the food intake patterns.

After the technical research phase of the Pyramid’s update was completed, the proposed new food intake patterns were published in the September 2003 Federal Register for public review and comment (www.cnpp.usda.gov/pyramid-update/index.html). Working in cooperation with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the patterns were revised to incorporate their new recommendations. The final updated food intake patterns were published in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These food intake patterns form the technical basis for the new food guidance system, which replaces the original Pyramid.

Development of consumer materials – to improve effectiveness

Another reason to revise the original Pyramid was to increase the use of it by consumers. While the original Pyramid was widely recognized by Americans, far fewer followed its recommendations in their entirety.

A plan was developed to create a system of tools that would provide more specific, consumer-friendly advice to foster behavioral changes. The system includes focused messages and individualized educational tools. It was envisioned that the system would be delivered through multiple channels (e.g., print, internet, media) that connect with the individual and tailor information to their needs. The plan also included the phased development of tools targeted for various audiences. In July 2004, the proposed plan for a food guidance system was published in the Federal Register for public review and comment. (69 FR 42030).

The development process for the food guidance system included the following elements:

1. Stakeholder input – A Federal Register notice was posted to present the plan and to solicit public comment. The notice included the conceptual plan for the graphic design and proposed consumer messages. Comments received were used to help focus the design and development of both motivational and educational aspects of the food guidance system.
2. Design – A new symbol, slogan and educational materials – including Web-based educational materials – were developed.
3. Consumer testing – As part of the design and development process, potential images and messages were tested with consumers to determine how well they communicated the intended content and how appealing they were to consumers. The results from the consumer research were used to revise and finalize the consumer materials so that consumers can more easily understand these messages and incorporate them into their lifestyle.

The following educational tools were developed:

• Web-based interactive tools that allow consumers to receive a “personalized” set of recommendations and provide more information and tips to help them follow the recommendations;
• a new graphic and slogan, “Steps to a Healthier You”;
• a poster and mini-poster with the graphic, slogan and key messages; and
• a core message framework for professionals, which will be used to develop additional educational materials.

This page was last updated on November 04, 2008 02:15 PM