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2010 Dietary Guidelines: Why listen to the government?

by bhealthy on February 16, 2011

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines were released a little over two weeks ago, Monday (1-31-2011). These guidelines are suggestions for the general population, entitled “Dietary Guidelines for Americans for a Healthier Life“.  The title says it all- these are recommendations based on the characteristics of our population (Americans, age 2 and older) and also based on the foods available in the U.S to be healthier…. Cheers to Being Healthier!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ”provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.”

I have read in numerous places, “the government is telling us what to do.” The purpose of government is to govern. There are political influences and yes, lobbying from certain groups or organizations like the Beef Council. Let’s think about this though, Who else is going to fund billions of dollars in research? Billions! Because improving eating habits is no longer just about yourself or your family, these habits are showing a greater effect on our entire country.

In order to avoid increasing the risk, incidence and prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases, it seems safe to say that we (as a nation) need to start making thoughtful choices on healthier foods and portions.

Approximately 37% of Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). Co-factors increasing risk of CVD include type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Co-factors increasing those include dietary habits such as saturated fat

About 34% of Americans (74.5 million) have hypertension, which is a major factor in heart disease, stroke, and conjestive heart failure. Dietary “causes” of hypertension include  excessive sodium intake, overweight and obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption. I put causes in “quotations” because there is no way to say one directly caused the other, but they have such a strong relationship that it is most likely so.

About 11% of Americans have diabetes (Type 2), which is heavily influenced by diets excessive in sodium, fat, and refined carbohydrates. 35% of Americans are pre-diabetic.

If you are a government official looking at these alarming statistics, What recommendations would you make?

If you were in charge of coming up with The 2011 Dietary Guidelines, What would your guidelines (for Americans for a Healthier life) be?

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  • http://www.itzyskitchen.com Erica

    Interesting topic! I don’t think the government is “telling us what to do” by releasing these guidelines…these are a means to educate us about how to eat properly. I DO think they’re telling people what to do when they try to tax fatty/salty/sugary foods. This is a free country still ;) Now given these statistics, I think education is key. They need to build into schools curriculum teaching more about healthy eating & exercise. And thats my two cents ;) Happy weekend

  • http://runyogarepeat.wordpress.com Lauren

    We talked a lot about these in one of my classes a few weeks ago! Our professor gave us a statistic that they estimated only 3% of the US population actually follows these guidelines, crazy. There needs to be major nutrition education for all because no one even knows how to follow the guidelines.

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com bhealthy

    Thanks foe your comment and stopping in to my blog Lauren! I like hat your prof shared that with your class. I agree with you completely!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com bhealthy

    Thanks Erica!! I don’t feel like they are either, I just saw that on about ten different website posts from different news channels/articles!! I agree, I wish the programs taught at schools with free/red lunch participation (from my work) were required at all schools!

    Maybe our kiddos generation will have better nutrition education by the time they are in school!

  • http://www.thedietbookjunkie.com Angela (the diet book junkie)

    personally, i think the government has a right, and a responsibility, to recommend dietary guildlines, i mean, the cost of health care for a country is MASSIVE. but of course, their recommendations are also very general, where diet is a much more personal thing, i think. great topic!

  • k_alex

    Have you read The China Study? It’s a fantastic book regarding the SAD and discusses the USDA dietary recommendations at length.