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2010 DGAC Report Outlines Obesity Prevention
October 27, 2010
3 Min Read
ST. LOUISA new commentary in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association highlights key features and findings of the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Report and reports that the current obesity epidemic in the United States is the literal elephant in the room."
According to Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, Chair of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, and Professor and Associate Dean, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, while many of the recommendations from previous reports are reinforced, new evidence-based findings will help registered dietitians and other health care providers prioritize effective approaches toward facilitating better eating habits among Americans.
Dietary Goals for Americans (DGA) were first released in 1977 when the average total fat intake was 42% of total energy intake, saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake was about 14%, and cardiovascular disease mortality was at an all-time high. By 2010, average American intake of total fat and SFA has decreased significantly to 33.6% and 11.4%, respectivelystill higher than recommended, but certainly improved.
The report reveals Americans consume inadequate nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and eat too many calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods that include solid fats, added sugars, salt and refined grains. The result is a population that is overfed and undernourished.
The report stresses the importance of recognizing that primary prevention of obesity beginning in childhood is potentially the single, most powerful method for halting and reversing America's obesity epidemic.
Key findings of the 2010 DGAC Report include:
It is the first totally evidence-based report that maximizes the quality, quantity, and critical organization of the underlying scientific data that fully substantiate and raise to new levels of significance the importance of these recommendations.
It addresses, for the first time, an unhealthy American public, with the majority (72.3% of women, 64.1% of men) classified as overweight or obese and the rest at risk of becoming obese. This increases the level of intensity, urgency, and significance associated with the translation and implementation of these DGA.
It includes a strong and emerging evidence base on infants, children, and pregnant women, vulnerable subgroups. All previous DGA have been directed at the population age 2 years and older.
It was conducted in a completely transparent manner with six public meetings, including three Webinars that uniquely provided worldwide, complete real-time access to all the proceedings as they occurred.
It includes two new chapters, one regarding the "Total Diet" to present the totality of the recommended eating patterns, and a "Translation/Implementation" chapter that provides the environmental context that affects the overall usefulness and adaptation of the DGA.
The report highlights other noteworthy findings of particular importance for registered dietitians. Between 1970 and 2010, energy intake has increased by more than 600 calories per day. Grain-based desserts (for example, cakes and cookies) are the highest ranking contributor to energy intake in the U.S. population, while sodas and sports drinks provide the highest source of calories to adolescents, followed closely by pizza.
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