On Monday, representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans at Jack Morton Auditorium. Secretaries Vilsack, of the USDA, and Sebelius, of HHS, were on hand for the press conference. Both departments review their guidelines every five years, as mandated by public law.The guidelines are designed and intended for “healthy Americans ages 2 years and older.” A highlight of the revised recommendations includes a reduction of daily salt intake. New to the guidelines this year are additional, more specific, recommendations for pregnant women and adults over the age of 50. Pregnant women are encouraged to consume seafood and foods with iron and folic acid. Individuals over the age of 50 should consume foods “fortified with vitamin B12.”
Dr. Julia Lear, Interim Chair for the Department of Prevention and Community Health at the GW School of Public Health and Health Services, believes that changes will affect courses currently being taught at GW. “The new guidelines will have an obvious impact on any discussion, whether in the School Health class ... or Federal Policy Making [class] offered by [GW].” Lear referenced an article from the Washington Post, saying “[the guidelines] will have a profound effect on everything from school lunches to nutrition labels in the supermarket.”
When asked about her department’s response to the revised guidelines, Lear said, “Without even asking, it’s a good bet that there would be overwhelming support for guidelines. They offer stronger support for the fight against [obesity] in this country].”
When asked about specific guidelines for teenagers and college students, Dr. Robert Post, Director of Nutrition Policy for the Department of Agriculture, referred to the USDA’s website, where individuals can put in several characteristics about themselves (weight, height, etc.) and can receive customized dietary guidelines online. Vilsack said that specific guidelines for different age groups are a new and growing concept for the recommendations. Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for HHS, said the guidelines still apply to teenagers in their entirety due to an increase in obesity among all age groups.
When asked about her department’s response to the revised guidelines, Lear said, “Without even asking, it’s a good bet that there would be overwhelming support for guidelines. They offer stronger support for the fight against [obesity] in this country].”
When asked about specific guidelines for teenagers and college students, Dr. Robert Post, Director of Nutrition Policy for the Department of Agriculture, referred to the USDA’s website, where individuals can put in several characteristics about themselves (weight, height, etc.) and can receive customized dietary guidelines online. Vilsack said that specific guidelines for different age groups are a new and growing concept for the recommendations. Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for HHS, said the guidelines still apply to teenagers in their entirety due to an increase in obesity among all age groups.
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