The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 (Dietary Guidelines) is the sixth and latest science-based dietary guidance document to be released since first published in 1980. The Dietary Guidelines provide diet and health recommendations for choosing a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate exercise, and keeping foods safe to avoid foodborne illness.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 (Dietary Guidelines) is the sixth and latest science-based dietary guidance document to be released since first published in 1980. The Dietary Guidelines provide diet and health recommendations for choosing a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate exercise, and keeping foods safe to avoid foodborne illness. Given the recognized importance of a balanced diet for good health, growth and development, the purpose of the Dietary Guidelines is to synthesize the science about individual nutrients and food components into recommendations for an overall healthy diet that can be adopted by all Americans. This is the job of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee [DGAC], an appointed group of expert nutrition scientists. The DGAC recently reviewed the most current data on diet, health, and disease relationships and produced a report that was the basis for the Dietary Guidelines 2005. Importantly, the guidelines form the basis of all nutrition recommendations for federal food, nutrition education, and information programs including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Thus, unlike previous guidelines, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines are oriented toward federal and state policymakers, nutrition educators, nutritionists and healthcare providers rather than directly to the general public.
As a result, efforts are warranted to increase the intakes of vitamin E, potassium, and fiber regardless of age; increase intakes of vitamins A and C, calcium, and magnesium by adults; and increase intakes of calcium and magnesium by children age nine years or older, especially adolescent females.