Putting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into Action: Behavior-Directed Messages to Motivate Parents—Phase III Quantitative Message Testing and Survey Evaluation

Abstract

THE 2010 DIETARY GUIDELINES for Americans (DGA) 1 US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health and Human ServicesDietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th ed. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC2010http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm Google Scholar and the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2 US Department of Health and Human Services2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx Google Scholar provide the foundation for dietetics practitioners to communicate healthful diet, physical activity, and lifestyle messages. With two thirds of adults and one third of children overweight or obese, 3 Ogden C.L. Carroll M.D. Prevalence of overweight, obesity and extreme obesity among adults: United States, trends 1960-1962 through 2007-2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_adult_07_08/obesity_adult_07_08.pdf Google Scholar , 4 Ogden C.L. Carroll M.D. Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents: United States, trends 1963-1965 through 2007-2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_child_07_08/obesity_child_07_08.pdf Google Scholar recent guidance emphasizes balancing calorie intake with physical activity and selecting nutrient-dense foods. Still, many consumers struggle to achieve healthful diet and physical activity behaviors. 5 Dietary Guidelines Advisory CommitteeReport of the dietary guidelines advisory committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2005Guidelines.htm Google Scholar , 6 US Food and Drug Administration2008 Health and Diet Survey. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/ConsumerResearch/ucm193895.htm Google Scholar , 7 International Food Information Council Foundation2011 Food & Health Survey: consumer attitudes toward food, nutrition & health. http://www.foodinsight.org/Content/3840/2011%20IFIC%20FDTN%20Food%20and%20Health%20Survey.pdf Google Scholar , 8 Food Marketing Institute and Prevention magazine Shopping for Health. Rodale, Inc, Emmaus, PA2011 Google Scholar