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WEEKLY NEWS 2: New Food Pyramid For Kids

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a revised dietary guide for kids, called “MyPyramid for Kids," at Samuel Tucker Elementary School on September 28, 2005. This comes after the USDA released an updated food pyramid for adults earlier this year.

The announcement, made by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, underscores many of the same dietary guidelines as the adult version--such as eating more fruit, vegetables and whole grains--but it also features specific provisions for children aged 6 to 11.

In a press release, the USDA pointed out the key messages of “MyPyramid for Kids.” The following are some of the most important guidelines:

-Be physically active every day
-Choose healthier food from each food group
-Eat food from every food group every day


While few find anything wrong with the actual message of eating healthier, some have criticized the means by which the government hopes to get the message across. According to the Washington Post, the USDA is “relying heavily on the Internet, along with a CD-ROM and printed educational materials for schools, to stretch the $600,000 earmarked to produce the children's pyramid.”

Some believe that the USDA and the federal government should set aside more money to help spread the message and rely on more than just the Internet to distribute information. Many experts also believe the current administration should do more to get rid of junk food in schools, as well as remove junk food advertisements from children's television shows.

--Written by Bradley Pearson

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