Project M.O.M. — Mothers & Others & MyPyramid — is a multi-pronged initiative by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) aimed at transforming the way the American family eats. It involves government, industry, educators, consumers, and the media.



Why Project M.O.M.?

There is an increasing concern with the weight and eating habits of America’s children. This is undoubtedly a complicated problem. However, what is often overlooked is the one place where a deliberate, positive trend toward change could take place tonight — in the family home. If we can collectively connect with a family’s “nutritional gatekeeper,” in ways that help the family eat more nutritiously and be more physically active, we could make an immediate change, with lasting impact.

To do this, we need to connect with these nutritional gatekeepers — moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, or other caregivers — to promote good nutrition wherever they make their food decisions. We need to connect where they work and play, and where they purchase and prepare food. This is why the CNPP has launched Project M.O.M.

Project M.O.M.’s goals will be accomplished by empowering all nutritional gatekeepers with the skills and information they need to model a healthy lifestyle and make “family-healthy” food choices.

What Is Project M.O.M.?

Project M.O.M. consists of multiple initiatives, all with the same goal of empowering nutritional gatekeepers.

CNPP has initiated four projects under the Project M.O.M. umbrella. They are:
 

	◊	MyPyramid Menu Planner — March 2008
	◊	MyPyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding — May 2008
	◊	MyPyramid for Preschoolers — October 2008
	◊	Cost of Raising a Child Calculator — January 2009

Each of these projects is briefly described in the Project M.O.M. Tools.

In addition, CNPP has called on industry to step up to the challenge — to improve family nutrition and end childhood obesity by partnering with MyPyramid. CNPP is asking corporations to develop programs that will empower nutritional gatekeepers to model a healthy lifestyle and provide information to help these gatekeepers make healthy food choices for themselves and their families. For more information, visit the Partnering with MyPyramid: Corporate Challenge website.

CNPP will also promote the goals of Project M.O.M. through various media, such as monthly podcasts throughout 2008. The podcasts are intended for educators, teachers, and consumers who want quick fun tips that may help motivate behavior change. These podcasts can be viewed through a link on the MyPyramid.gov home page. CNPP will also continue to engage the media through interviews and press releases.




 

 

 

 

This page was last updated on October 09, 2008 01:06 PM