What Is the Dietary Guideline for Americans?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans [Dietary Guidelines], first published in 1980, provides science-based advice to promote health and to reduce risk for chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. The recommendations contained within the Dietary Guidelines are targeted to the general public over 2 years of age who are living in the United States. Because of its focus on health promotion and risk reduction, the Dietary Guidelines form the basis of federal food, nutrition education, and information programs. By law (Public Law 101-445, Title III, 7 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), the Dietary Guidelines is reviewed, updated if necessary, and published every 5 years. The process to create the Dietary Guidelines is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and has evolved to include three stages. In the first stage, an external scientific Advisory Committee appointed by the two Departments conducted an analysis of
