health
New food guidelines aimed at reducing obesity
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 14, 2011
The federal government is urging Americans to make healthier food choices and get more exercise to help curb high obesity rates.
New dietary guidelines issued Jan. 31 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Dept. of Health and Human Services recommend that people monitor their calorie intake; balance it with physical activity; drink water in place of sugary drinks; and eat more fruits, vegetables, seafood, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Americans also are advised to consume less salt, added sugars, refined grains and saturated and trans fats.
"The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
More than a third of children and more than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, he said. The guidelines, which are updated every five years, include 23 recommendations for the public and six additional guidelines for specific groups such as pregnant women (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/02/14/hlbf0214.htm.
