FDA Food Pyramid for Managing Weight

Sixty-four percent of adults age 20 and older are overweight or obese, and yet a mere 3 percent of Americans actually follow health advice in regards to exercise, nutrition, weight loss and smoking, according to a report in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Managing your weight can be difficult because of busy lifestyles that often lead to inactivity or unhealthy eating. However, being overweight or obese can lead to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis and gallbladder disease, among many other health problems. More than 300,000 people die every year due to obesity. Heart disease, cancer and strokes are the leading causes of death for American women. These statistics allude to the importance for women to balance hectic schedules of what they “have to do” with what they really have to do for themselves.

To reflect the most current science, in April 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the latest version of its food pyramid, which coincides with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. More than just a food pyramid, the new guide, MyPyramid, is a new symbol and interactive food guidance system. It emphasizes the importance of exercise, represented by the staircase, and uses various colors to represent the different food groups.

At MyPyramid.gov, consumers can find a personalized approach to eating healthy and physical activity. There are 12 models of various caloric intake and levels of physical activity that consumers can select from based on their needs.

Managing your eating and exercise habits is key to a healthy life. Every woman can follow a few simple tips to a healthier lifestyle.

• Eat a variety of foods including a variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Control the portions of food you eat. Follow the serving sizes on containers.
• Reduce salt in your diet.
• Eat foods lower in saturated and trans fats.
• Eat more high fiber foods.
• Fit in 30 minutes a day for moderate physical activity.

Approximately 45 percent of women are trying to lose weight at any given time, according to a report from MSNBC. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting a weight loss program. Take time to examine your lifestyle and eating habits and work towards a healthier life … a healthier you.

Click here for additional weight management and exercise resources.

References

1. “Few Americans Follow Health Advice, Report Says.” MSNBC.com, April 2005.
2. “Healthy Eating and an Active Lifestyle.” 2005 Daybook – Generations: Women’s Health Across the Lifespan, National Women’s Health Information Center, Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, www.fda.gov, April 2005.
4. MyPyramid.gov. U.S. FDA, 2005.