Nutrient-dense foods are foods that provide substantial amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting components, such as fiber, for relatively few calories. The 2005 guidelines recommend that all healthy Americans aged 2 and older consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups and limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and alcohol. The guidelines include 16 key recommendations that focus on food and diet (see Box 4-1). These guidelines, which are revised every five years and are based on the latest scientific evidence, provide information and advice for choosing a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and achieving adequate exercise. In developing working definitions for healthy eating and healthy foods, the committee looked to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (HHS and USDA, 2005). WHAT IS MEANT BY HEALTHY EATING AND HEALTHY FOODS? Solving the problem will require the efforts of many stakeholders, including those in the public and private sectors, working together for change. To be effective, obesity prevention efforts should use public health population-based approaches, including policy and environmental changes that affect large numbers of people. As recommended in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, childhood obesity prevention should be public health in action at its broadest and most inclusive level and a national health priority (IOM, 2005).
Together, these environmental changes have influenced what, where, and how much Americans eat and have played a large role in the current obesity epidemic. Finally, an exodus of grocery stores and an influx of fast-food restaurants in lower-income urban areas have contributed to income and racial/ethnic disparities in access to healthier foods (IOM, 2005). Food marketing aimed at children using multiple channels, such as digital media, has drastically increased as well (IOM, 2006). In addition, the school food environment is radically different than it was a few decades ago, with many schools now offering and promoting high-calorie, low-nutrition foods throughout the school day (Fox et al., 2009). Moreover, families are eating fewer meals together (Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2003). Americans are also eating out more often and consuming more calories away from home than ever before (Keystone Center, 2006). Many of these foods are often available in increasingly large portion sizes at relatively low prices (Story et al., 2008). food supply contains a large amount of energy-dense foods, many of which consist of refined grains and foods high in fats and/or sugars and low in nutrients. Food is now readily available and accessible in many settings throughout the day. food and agricultural policies population growth and economic, social, and lifestyle changes (Story et al., 2008). Major changes in the nation’s food system and food and eating environments have occurred in recent decades, driven by technological advances U.S. In addition, many diet-related chronic diseases have their origins during childhood and adolescence. Prevention of childhood obesity is essential to the promotion of a healthier and more productive society (IOM, 2005).
Childhood provides the opportunity to establish a solid foundation that can lead to healthy lifelong eating patterns (IOM, 2005).
These diseases and conditions impact the individual and his or her quality of life and are associated with increasing health care costs that place a burden on the government and businesses. Eating right and diabetes, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and being overweight or obese (HHS and USDA, 2005). The food and physical activity choices made every day affect short- and long-being physically active may reduce the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, term health and are directly related to weight outcomes.