This new attractive and colorful icon introduced by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) represents MyPlate – an easy to comprehend food guide that is a step up of the former MyPyramid released in 2005. Michelle Obama who unveiled the icon in June 2011 stated that the prime goal behind the launch of this new symbol is to prop up the significance of healthy living among the Americans as well as to put an end to conditions such as childhood obesity. A publication of the USDA in conjunction with the HSS (US Department of Health and Human Services) – the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 is the basis for the development of MyPlate.
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According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 that is based on the topical scientific evidences, the poor diet and inadequate physical activities are the root causes of morbidity and mortality in country. Even though it has been promoted as an effective means to encourage Americans to stick on a balanced and healthy diet by reducing the consumption of fats, MyPlate is beyond a nutrition guide providing portion size and also offers effective tips for your overall health and well being – an example for which is the ‘Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series’ that could be checked out at www.choosemyplate.gov.
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What are the changes?
The purpose of the changes was to make things easier to follow.
MyPyramid, as the name suggests, had a pyramid shaped icon consisting of seven vertical lines designed in a hue of six colors however with varying thickness to represent the quantity of foods that should be consumed from each group including grains, vegetables, fruits, oil, milk and meat. It also included the image of a person climbing the steps to emphasize the significance of daily exercise programs. Despite being attractive, MyPyramid failed to convey the real message at first glance. This point, in fact, makes MyPlate different from MyPyramid.