What is the best way to interpret the 2005 Dietary Guidelines?
Historically, the US Department of Health and Human Services has developed a set of workable nutrition guidelines that could be used by almost everyone. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, however, reflect a strong weight-control focus. The Executive Summary notes that that major causes of illness and death are related to poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. It goes on to say that poor diet and physical inactivity are the most important contributing factors to increasing weight in the United States. It concludes that “Combined with physical activity, following a diet that does not provide excess calories according to the recommendations in this document [our emphasis] should enhance the health of most individuals.” So lifestyle choices that promote weight control will promote health—if you follow the other Dietary Guidelines, too. The problem with this conclusion is that when weight control and calories are the major focus in our relationship with food or physical activity, th
