MyPyramid



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 latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, an 80-page document released in January 2005. The guidelines, produced jointly by the USDA and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), represent the Federal nutrition policy.

Overview
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 other dairy 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 uncolored tip of the pyramid, including items such as candy, alcohol, or additional food from any other group.

Themes
The USDA chose to encode several themes into the design of the MyPyramid icon. According to the USDA, MyPyramid incorporates:


 * Personalization, demonstrated by the MyPyramid Web site. To find a personalized recommendation of the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day, users 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
In a departure from the food guide pyramid, no foods are pictured on the MyPyamid logo itself. Instead, the logo emphasizes physical activity by showing a person climbing steps on the side of the pyramid. Colored vertical bands represent different food groups. MyPyramid is also intentionally simpler than the food guide pyramid after several USDA studies indicated that consumers widely misunderstood the original design. 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 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. MyPyramid does provide sample recommendations on their miniposter:



Development
The research process and results used to create the MyPyramid Food Guidance System have been documented in a supplemental issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior published in Nov/Dec 2006. The articles in this journal supplement are:

1.	Britten P, Marcoe K, Yamini S, Davis, C. Development of Food Intake Patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S78-S92.

2.	Marcoe K, Juan WY, Yamini S, Carlson A, Britten P. Development of Food Group Composite and Nutrient Profiles for MyPyramid Food Guidance System, J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S93-S107.

3.	Britten P, Haven J, Davis C. Consumer Research for Development of Educational Messages for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S108-S123.

4.	Haven J, Burns A, Britten P, Davis C. Developing the Consumer Interface for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38: S124-S135.

5.	Yamimi S, Juan WY, Marcoe K, Britten P. Impact of Using Updated Food Consumption and Composition data on Selected MyPyramid Food Group Nutrient Profiles. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38: S136-S142.

6.	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. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S143-S152.

7.	Haven J, Burns A, Herring D, Britten P. GEM No. 426: MyPyramid.gov Provides Consumers with Practical Nutrition Information at their Fingertips. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S153-S154.

8.	Juan WY, Gerrior S, Hiza H. GEM No. 427:  MyPyramid Tracker Assesses Food Consumption, Activity, and Energy Balance Status Interactively. J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S155-S157.

9.	French L, Howell G, Haven J, Britten P. GEM No. 428:  Designing MyPyramid for Kids materials to help Children Eat Right, Exercise, Have Fun. . J Nutr Educ Behav 2006;38:S158-S159.

According to its website, MyPyramid and its associated guidelines were designed for all Americans over 2 years old. A working title of food guidance system was used before the MyPyramid name was chosen.

The MyPyramid update was long-awaited by several lobbying, consumer-advocacy, and professional groups, including the American Dietetic Association, which played a role in recommending the update.

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

Official

 * MyPyramid.gov literature: The Literature
 * MyPyramid Tracker: The United States Government provides this online dietary and physical activity assessment tool
 * Introductory Video
 * MyPyramid U.S. government website
 * Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005

General

 * ADA Press Release
 * MyPyramid Educational Materials Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida/IFAS

Critiques

 * Food Pyramids Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source, compares pyramids
 * New food pyramid shape: a pyramid
 * MyPyramid.org - redirects to a page in agribusinessaccountability.org, which criticizes corporate influence of USDA.

Alternative pyramids

 * Two healthy alternatives – the Mediterranean and the Asian Diet Pyramids
 * The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid
 * The Vegetarian Food Pyramid
 * The Vegan Food Pyramid
 * The United States Department of Agribusiness Food Pyramid