Opportunity: Take the Lead with New Dietary Guidelines

Abstract

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities, and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.—Harry Truman The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), released at the end of January, represent an opportunity for each of us. In our role as the leading source of accurate food and nutrition information for consumers, American Dietetic Association (ADA) members are in a unique position to lead the cause of improving people's health through small but incremental improvements in a person's daily activity—eating. The DGA provide an outline for what we can accomplish as a nation in optimizing the population's eating pattern. It will require initiative to create awareness and help consumers interpret and apply them to their daily lives. Who will do that? We will. In helping the public apply the DGA, we have the opportunity to further position ourselves as leaders who translate science into useful information for consumers and communities alike. Who better than us to conduct thorough assessments of individuals' needs and provide guided coaching that helps people apply the recommendations of the DGA in the ways that are best for them? Among some of the areas we can take the lead on to help consumers, industry, and organizations are the DGA's focus on a healthy, balanced approach to weight management; new recommendations for lower sodium consumption by as much as half the population; and advice to eat fewer solid fats (including trans fats) and added sugars, and to eat more fruits and vegetables. Every revision of the DGA is an opportunity to highlight our expertise and “re-grab” the attention and interest of a diverse population. “Different populations are affected by disparities in different ways,” says Eunshil S. McKenna, MAg, RD, LD/N, past-president of the Florida Dietetic Association, “racial and ethnic minorities, rural and urban living populations, special needs groups such as children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who are severely challenged economically.” For these groups, becoming aware of the DGA and applying the information may be more difficult. Working with all populations using targeted approaches to help them achieve healthy eating is our goal. While delivery of competent, desirable, and marketable services ultimately is up to each of us, ADA helps with toolkits, background information, professional development opportunities, and other resources and services. Visit the Member section of eatright.org for a wealth of materials on building our cultural competency to maximize the value of our patient interactions. As educators, it is imperative not only that we teach the new DGA to current students, but that we also teach them the historical, political, economic, and health contexts in which they are developed and will continue to evolve. For practitioners, this is an opportunity to work with clients and agencies to create new messaging, to help them change, adopt, and adapt policies and processes that support the DGA. For researchers, this is an opportunity to study intended and non-intended consequences of dietary guidance and changes on the population's health. For all of us, the new DGA will require that we review our Professional Development goals and modify our learning plans as necessary. In addition, the 2010 DGA offer us the opportunity to expand our services as part of overall national health care reform and to influence Congress, legislatures, and agencies who are making laws and regulations, especially when it comes to increasing access to health care. In the words of Evelyn F. Crayton, EdD, RD, LD, a member of ADA's Board of Directors and House Leadership Team, “At a time when we are nationally concerned with access to adequate, affordable health care by all, health care can and should be available to all Americans. We, as professionals, should have the will and the desire to help the nation reach this goal.” Not only do we have the will, but now we have the chance to expand our services as part of this endeavor. In addition to the new DGA, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and the Healthy People 2020 goals let us demonstrate our expertise. We can take the lead in helping the restaurant industry with new regulations related to menus. We can work with schools and communities to improve children's food choices. If we want to be recognized as leaders, we must step up to the plate. ADA is here to help you take this challenge, and to succeed.