Q: What is the “MyPyramid” Food Guidance System?
A: On April 19, 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled MyPyramid (MyPyramid.gov), a new symbol and interactive food guidance system. “Steps to a Healthier You,” MyPyramid’s central message, is part of an overall food guidance system that emphasizes the need for a more individualized approach to improving diet and lifestyle. MyPyramid replaces the Food Guide Pyramid introduced in 1992.

Historically, “food guides” have been graphic representations of the science-based nutrition recommendations outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The term, “food guidance system,” encompasses a number of tools to communicate these recommendations, including a graphic, motivational slogan, core education concepts and messages, written materials and interactive tools for personalization. The tools, particularly the graphic, are designed to help Americans make choices that are adequate in meeting nutritional standards yet moderate in energy level (calories) and in food components or nutrients often consumed in excess.

Q: What’s new and different about MyPyramid?
A: While most Americans recognized the previous Food Guide Pyramid, few followed its recommendations in their entirety.

USDA’s new MyPyramid symbolizes a personalized approach to healthful eating and physical activity. The symbol has been designed to be simple. It has been developed to remind consumers to make healthful food choices and to be active every day.

MyPyramid illustrates:

• Personalization, demonstrated by the MyPyramid Web site (MyPyramid.gov). The Web site offers personalized recommendations of the kinds and amounts of food to eat each day.
• Gradual improvement, encouraged 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 as well as oils. Experts suggest 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 or added sugars. The narrower top stands for foods containing more added sugars and solids fats.
• Proportionality, shown by the different widths of the food group bands. The widths suggest how much food a person should choose from each group.

Q: Who is MyPyramid for and how should it be used?
A: MyPyramid is for Americans two years and older to help them make food choices that maximize good health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Americans are encouraged to visit MyPyramid.gov and utilize the interactive tools to personalize an eating plan that meets their needs.

A child-friendly version of MyPyramid for teachers and children is being developed. This version of MyPyramid is intended to reach children 6 to 11 years old with targeted messages about the importance of making smart eating and physical activity choices. A Spanish-language version of MyPyramid is also being developed by USDA.

Q: How was MyPyramid developed?
A: The USDA has provided food guidance to the American public for more than 100 years. MyPyramid is based on the recommendations outlined in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA in January. Because nutrition science continues to emerge and evolve, the Dietary Guidelines are updated every five years and are based on the preponderance of scientific evidence available at the time of revision. MyPyramid carries the messages of the Dietary Guidelines and communicates to Americans the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors.

In addition to the information provided by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the development process for MyPyramid also included the following elements:

• Stakeholder input—A Federal Register notice was posted to present the plan and to solicit public comment. The notice included the conceptual plan for the graphic design and proposed consumer messages. Comments received were used to help focus the design and development of both motivational and educational aspects of the food guidance system.
• Design—A new symbol, slogan, and educational materials—including Web-based educational materials—were developed.
• Consumer testing—As part of the design and development process, potential images and messages were tested with consumers to determine how well they communicated the intended content and how appealing they were to consumers. The results from the consumer research were used to revise and finalize the consumer materials so that consumers can more easily understand these messages and incorporate them into their lifestyle.

The following educational tools were developed to communicate MyPyramid:

• Web-based interactive tools that allow consumers to receive a “personalized” set of recommendations and provide more information and tips to help them follow the recommendations;
• a new graphic and slogan, “Steps to a Healthier You”;
• a poster and mini-poster with the graphic, slogan and key messages; and
• a core message framework for professionals, which will be used to develop additional educational materials.

Q: Are there some simple steps consumers can use to implement MyPyramid?
A: It is both an opportunity and challenge to communicate the scientific recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in a useful and consumer-friendly way to help individuals make wise choices about maintaining a healthful lifestyle and weight.

To help translate recommendations into behavior, consumers consistently ask for specific actions that they can relate to, individualize, and incorporate into their lifestyle. Some tried and tested consumer messages and tips that can help consumers implement dietary guidance can be found below:

Resources on Dietary and Food Guidance

AND

Owner’s Manual for YOUR Body…How to Fuel it and Move it for a Fun and Healthy Life 

Q: Where can people get more information about the Food Guidance System?
A: A wealth of resources may be found at: http://www.mypyramid.gov and http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/pyramid.html.

For more information on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, please visit: http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.

Q: Are there other resources for information about using the MyPyramid?
A: There are numerous resources available at the government Web site provided above. In addition, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation has prepared and selected resources for health professionals, journalists, and consumers to complement and add context to information surrounding the release of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid. All of the resources may be used freely, with attribution to the IFIC Foundation. For a list of available resources, please visit the following link: http://ific.org/foodguidance.cfm.

The key to the success of MyPyramid will ultimately lie in the ability to communicate effectively and harmoniously to consumers about its use.