By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
Posted: Thursday, August 5, 2004

LETTER
Publication Date: August 5, 2004

The following letter to the editor appeared in the August 5, 2004 Wall Street Journal:

The turmoil about the 2005 revision of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and Food Pyramid, as reflected in your July 29 article "Food-Pyramid Frenzy -- Lobbyists Fight to Defend Sugar, Potatoes and Bread in Recommended U.S. Diet" suggests that the current pyramid doesn't provide clear direction for consumers. Groups with various dietary axes to grind blame it for the current increase in obesity rates and other possibly diet-related ills. It's hard to see how the pyramid is responsible for these, since it's unlikely that most Americans follow its directions very closely. Recent research suggests that on average Americans underconsume fruit, grains and dairy and overconsume fats and sugars, compared with current pyramid recommendations. Providing a drastically new pyramid or other graphic is an overly simplistic solution to a complex problem: how to educate and motivate consumers to choose healthful diets and lifestyles.

Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
Director of Nutrition
American Council on Science and Health
New York