The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a tentative timeline for the development and publication of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans set to be distributed in Fall 2015.
Recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are intended for Americans ages 2 years and over, including those at increased risk of chronic disease, and provide the basis for federal food and nutrition policy and education initiatives. The guidelines encourage Americans to focus on eating a healthful diet—one that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, promote health and prevent disease.
HHS’s Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has the administrative leadership for the 2015 edition and is strongly supported by USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion in Committee and process management, and evidence analysis functions. The departments jointly review the committee’s recommendations and develop and publish the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans policy document.
America’s obesity epidemic weighed heavily in the development of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2010 guidelines placed stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption, increasing physical activity and choosing healthy foods, including more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and fat-free and low-fat dairy items while limiting sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars and refined grains.
HHS and USDA have jointly published the Dietary Guidelines every five years since 1980. HHS’s Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and Agricultural Research Service coordinate the development of the Dietary Guidelines.
