LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 2, 2011) - As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce obesity and improve healthy eating, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's RENEW initiative is encouraging residents to make healthier choices by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) nutrition plate icon as a guide when making their own meals. Earlier today, First Lady Michelle Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the federal government's replacement for the traditional food pyramid: "MyPlate," a round dinner plate, divided into sections representing how much of each food group people should consume. The portion plate icon will be an important element of the Obama administration's fight against the obesity epidemic, a significant problem in LA County where more than 20 percent of kids in 5th, 7th and 9th grades are obese and 58 percent of adults are overweight or obese.
"Compared to the old food pyramid, this nutrition plate symbol offers a great visual representation of what a healthy diet looks like," said Paul Simon, MD, MPH, director of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "The plate icon makes it easy for consumers to understand the dietary guidelines, and we urge LA County residents to use the plate as a tool to facilitate healthier choices. The healthy choice can be the easy choice when consumers have the information they need."
The nutrition plate concept was developed by the USDA, with input from First Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity Let's Move initiative team and federal health officials. MyPlate is segmented into four colored sections for fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins. It is accompanied by a smaller plate for dairy, suggesting a glass of low-fat milk or a cup of yogurt. The food group divisions reflect the new 2010 USDA dietary recommendations, which include:
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables;
- Enjoy your food, but eat less;
- Avoid oversized portions;
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk and drink water instead of sugary drinks; and
- Choose foods with lower amounts of sodium.
Consumers, health professionals, educators and food industry professionals can visit the new website, ChooseMyPlate.gov, for more information, resources and tools to support a healthier diet. For more information and tips on healthy eating in LA County, connect with Choose Health LA online, which represents all of the public health efforts of RENEW LA County. Visit Choose Health LA on Twitter @ChooseHealthLA, on Facebook and at ChooseHealthLA.com.
About RENEW LA County
The LA County Department of Public Health's RENEW (Renew Environments for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness) initiative seeks to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce obesity in LA County. RENEW LA County is made possible by a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative.
About LA County Department of Public Health
The LA County Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health, please visit publichealth.lacounty.gov or the YouTube channel at youtube.com/lapublichealth or follow Public Health on Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.
