DD7HW3 Chapter 9, Article #2

I followed the guidelines for TC's Summarizing Information (pp. 176-177). 

Article Title:
Visual Representation of Health Information:  A Critique of the 2005 Food Pyramid

USDA guidelines have changed over the years since the first recommendations were made in 1917. Originally there were 5 food groups, including "fruits and vegetables," "meats and proteins (including milk for children)," cereals and starches," "sweets," and "fatty foods." There are still five groups but they are categorized differently, shifting away from Sugar and Fat, and identifying Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, and Meat & Beans as the five categories. The goal of USDA guidelines have also shifted from telling people to "eat more" to ensure they had enough nutrients, to "eat less" because of the rise of obesity and other chronic diseases stemming from food consumption.

The Food Pyramid has also changed over the years, but the goal has remained the same. The purpose of the pyramid is to show people what the daily recommendations dietary guidelines are to live a healthy life. Descriptions of visual differences between the food pyramids and why they may be confusing to users have been identified. The original food pyramid was a pyramid with visual representation of foods in horizontal divisions.  The focus was that there is a foundation of foods to eat on the bottom, and then recommendations for smaller amounts of food groups as you went up the pyramid.  The new representation has made vertical divisions, with six different colors separating the five food groups, with a small colored line added for oils. Visually, the vertical bands of color appear to be different sizes, but it is not as easy to understand recommended portion sizes, as it was on the original horizontal pyramid.

The new Food Pyramid is visually more appealing for users due to the design and colors. It also includes an image of a person climbing up stairs along the side of the pyramid, representing recommendations for physical activity.  Although there are some benefits to this pyramid, the original is easier to understand and to use when following recommenced dietary guidelines.


Citation:

Noland, Carey, and M. Isabel Meirelles. Visual Representation of Health Information: A Critique of the 2005 Food Pyramid. American Communication Journal 10. 2008; 431-432.