FPA "applauds" food pyramid for children

29/09/05 Commenting on the announcement by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns of the children's version of the Food Guidance Pyramid -- now called "MyPyramid for Kids" -- Robert Earl, MPH, RD, Senior Director of Nutrition Policy for the Food Products Association (FPA), made the following remarks:

"FPA applauds Secretary Johanns and USDA for their commitment to furthering consumer education and nutritional and physical activity awareness, particularly among children. MyPyramid for Kids and USDA's interactive website will help children learn about how to make food choices, as well as emphasizing the importance of physical activity and that, most of all, both eating and physical activity should be fun.

"MyPyramid for Kids can help motivate children to put sound dietary messages into daily practice. For example, most children, as well as most adults, should increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. MyPyramid for Kids can help them understand that canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables, as well as fruit juices and juice-containing beverages, can help them get the servings of fruits and vegetables they need. The same applies to whole grains, which are also an important part of healthful diets. By keeping the emphasis on positive dietary choices -- which include many foods that kids love -- MyPyramid for Kids can help children to help themselves in achieving good nutrition and adequate hydration.

"Beginning nutrition education in early childhood is an important part of helping to ensure that children will achieve healthful lifestyles. MyPyramid for Kids will help facilitate this early education by providing teachers with valuable instructional aids.

"One of the tools that can help both children and adults is the nutrition label found on food packaging. Children, as well as adults, need to learn how to use nutrition labels to help them choose foods appropriate for their dietary needs. Many food companies feature MyPyramid on their food packages, including food products enjoyed by children. They will be looking for ways to highlight MyPyramid for Kids to help promote better nutrition awareness by children and their parents."