Evaluating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

  Scenario: You will act in a consultancy role for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), undertaking an evaluation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Click each of the items below to reveal the assessment requirements. Part 1 – Reviewing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Your first task in the evaluation is to review the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Select a specific key recommendation within the guidelines, and identify scientific evidence used to inform the chosen guideline/key recommendation. At this stage, you are not looking for new scientific evidence, rather you are reviewing the existing research used to support and inform a specific key recommendation within the current guidelines. Complete Part 1 of the template provided, ensuring you: Select and describe a key recommendation within the current guidelines and the reason for your choice. Identify three (3) resources cited in the current guidelines that include supporting scientific evidence used to inform the selected guideline/key recommendation. Resources should be of varied research type from peer-reviewed journals (e.g., observational research, epidemiological research, randomized controlled trial). Provide references using full APA formatting. In your own words, explain how each resource informed the selected guideline/key recommendation. Part 2 – Recommendations for an Updated Guideline It is important that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans undergo evaluation to include the most up-to-date information. Your next task is to make recommendations for an updated edition of the guideline/key recommendation by finding up-to-date, supporting, and/or contrasting scientific evidence. Through your research, you may find scientific evidence to strengthen or weaken the current guideline/key recommendation. To prepare for reporting back to the USDA Dietary Guidelines Committee, you will critically analyze the resources you find to inform your recommendations. Complete Part 2 of the template provided, ensuring you: Identify three (3) resources (dated within the past 5 years of the publication date of the current guidelines) that provide more recent scientific evidence to inform the guideline/key recommendation. Resources should be of varied research type from peer-reviewed journals (e.g., observational research, epidemiological research, randomized controlled trial). Provide references using full APA formatting. In your own words, explain how each resource either strengthens or weakens the current guideline/key recommendation. Consider: Common themes and/or differences found within the recent scientific evidence If the wording or intent of the selected guideline/key recommendation should be changed Part 3 – Application of the Guideline Your final task is to consider how you may apply your findings to a specific setting, such as home, school, workplace, community, or retail operation. Following your learning from Part 1 and Part 2, you will determine how the guideline/key recommendation might be applied in a setting familiar to you and the ways in which you might influence policy to help others meet this in practice. Complete Part 3 of the template provided, ensuring you: Select a specific setting to focus on. Describe your chosen setting and the reason for your choice. In the home In schools In the workplace In the community In retail operations  
    • significantly associated with a reduced risk of various cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and stroke. This evidence strongly supports the recommendation to consume a variety of vegetables as part of a heart-healthy diet.

  • Resource 2:

    • Title: Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    • Authors: Li, Y., Liu, S., & Manson, J. E. (2016).
    • Journal: Diabetes Care.
    • Type of Research: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
    • Explanation: This systematic review analyzed the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The findings consistently showed that higher intakes of various vegetables, particularly those rich in fiber and antioxidants, were associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This evidence supports the recommendation to consume a variety of vegetables to help prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.

  • Resource 3:

    • Title: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020.
    • Authors: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020).
    • Type of Research: Comprehensive review of scientific evidence.
    • Explanation: This document itself provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence supporting the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It includes a thorough review of the scientific literature on the health benefits of various food groups, including vegetables. The guidelines emphasize the importance of consuming a variety of vegetables from all subgroups for optimal health.

Part 2 – Recommendations for an Updated Guideline

1. Recent Scientific Evidence:

  • Resource 1:

    • Title: The Impact of Plant-Based Diets on Human Health: An Update.
    • Authors: Barnard, N. D., & Ferrier, L. (2021).
    • Journal: Nutrients.
    • Type of Research: Review article.
    • Explanation: This review article provides an update on the latest scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of plant-based diets, with a strong emphasis on the role of vegetables. It highlights the numerous health benefits of plant-based diets, including reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved weight management, and enhanced environmental sustainability. This evidence strengthens the recommendation to consume a variety of vegetables as a cornerstone of a healthy diet.

  • Resource 2:

    • Title: The Gut Microbiome and Human Nutrition.
    • Authors: Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. (2016).
    • Journal: Cell.
    • Type of Research: Review article.
    • Explanation: This review article explores the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and human health. It highlights the crucial role of dietary fiber from plant-based foods, including vegetables, in promoting a healthy gut microbiome. A diverse and balanced intake of vegetables can contribute to a diverse and healthy gut microbiota, which has been linked to various health benefits, including improved immune function and reduced inflammation. This evidence further strengthens the recommendation to consume a variety of vegetables as part of a healthy diet.

  • Resource 3:

    • Title: Association of Dietary Patterns With Mortality in US Adults.
    • Authors: Fung, T. T., Li, Y., Manson, J. E., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2018).
    • Journal: JAMA.
    • Type of Research: Observational study.
    • Explanation: This large-scale observational study examined the association between various dietary patterns and mortality risk in US adults. The findings consistently showed that adherence to plant-based dietary patterns, characterized by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. This evidence further strengthens the recommendation to consume a variety of vegetables as a key component of a healthy and sustainable diet.

Common Themes and Differences:

  • Common Themes: All three recent resources consistently highlight the numerous health benefits of consuming a variety of vegetables, including reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved gut health, and overall health and well-being.
  • Differences: While all resources emphasize the importance of vegetables, they focus on different aspects, such as the role of vegetables in cardiovascular health, the impact on the gut microbiome, and the association with overall mortality.

Recommendations for Updated Guideline:

  • Strengthen the emphasis on the importance of consuming a variety of vegetables from all subgroups. The updated guideline could emphasize the importance of incorporating a wide range of colors and types of vegetables into daily meals to maximize the intake of essential nutrients and phytochemicals.
  • Consider adding a specific recommendation on the amount of vegetables that should be consumed daily. This could include a specific recommendation for the number of servings or the recommended daily intake of vegetables.
  • Highlight the importance of consuming vegetables across all meals and snacks. The updated guideline could emphasize the importance of incorporating vegetables into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day.

Part 3 – Application of the Guideline

Chosen Setting: Schools

Reason for Choice: Schools play a crucial role in shaping children's dietary habits and promoting healthy lifestyles. By implementing effective strategies to increase vegetable consumption in school settings, we can positively impact the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Ways to Apply the Guideline in Schools:

  • School Meals:
    • Incorporate a variety of colorful and flavorful vegetables into school lunches and breakfasts.
    • Offer vegetable-based options in the school cafeteria, such as salads, vegetable soups, and stir-fries.
    • Promote the consumption of fresh, locally sourced vegetables.
  • Educational Programs:
    • Conduct nutrition education programs that teach children about the importance of eating vegetables and how to prepare and enjoy them.
    • Implement hands-on cooking classes where students can learn to prepare and cook healthy vegetable-based dishes.
    • Create school gardens where students can grow their own vegetables and learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture.
  • School Policies:
    • Implement policies that restrict the availability of unhealthy snacks and beverages in schools.
    • Promote the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in vending machines and school stores.

Influencing Policy:

  • Collaborate with school administrators, nutritionists, and teachers to develop and implement effective strategies to increase vegetable consumption in schools.
  • Advocate for increased funding for school nutrition programs to support the purchase of fresh, high-quality produce.
  • Work with local farmers and food suppliers to provide schools with access to fresh, locally grown vegetables.
  • Raise awareness among parents and the community about the importance of healthy eating habits for children.

By implementing these strategies, we can create a more supportive environment for healthy eating in schools and help children develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

Evaluation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Part 1 – Reviewing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

1. Selected Key Recommendation:

Recommendation: "Consume a variety of vegetables from all of the subgroups—dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy, and other." 1  

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Reason for Choice: This recommendation highlights the importance of consuming a diverse range of vegetables, which is crucial for obtaining a wide array of essential nutrients and phytochemicals.

2. Supporting Scientific Evidence:

  • Resource 1:

    • Title: The Role of Vegetables in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk: A Meta-Analysis.
    • Authors: He, F. J., Ma, J., Li, Y., & Liu, S. (2017).
    • Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association.
    • Type of Research: Meta-analysis of observational studies.
    • Explanation: This meta-analysis systematically reviewed and analyzed data from multiple studies to examine the association between vegetable consumption and cardiovascular disease risk. The findings consistently demonstrated that higher vegetable intake was

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