Introduction

Health professionals recognize the benefits associated with a healthful eating plan based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including:

• Decreased risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers
• Decreased risk of overweight and obesity
• Decreased risk of micronutrient deficiencies

The challenge is translating this nutrition knowledge into strategies, programs, and policies that can help Americans make healthier food choices.

The public is already flooded with nutrition and diet information from multiple sources. As a result, they are sometimes confused about what, how much, or even how often they should eat.

Nutrition professionals trying to influence dietary change must take into account a person’s personal food preferences as well as their level of awareness and interest in making healthier choices. In addition, environmental factors within families, organizations, and communities must be considered.

As these challenges are faced, science-based tools and information are needed. CDC has compiled professional resources including:

• The latest nutrition surveillance data and trends
• Key nutritional guidelines
• CDC-supported programs and resources

Selected Resources

State-Specific Trends in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Adults – United States, 2000-2009
MMWR, September 10, 2010 / 59
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of many leading causes of death and can play an important role in weight management.  To assess states’ progress over the last decade in meeting Healthy People 2010 objectives for fruit and vegetable consumption, data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed. The findings, which indicate that no state met the objectives, underscore the need for policy and environmental interventions at national, state, and community levels, across multiple settings, to support and promote individual fruit and vegetable access and consumption.

WHO Growth Standards Are Recommended for Use in the US for Infants and Children 0 to 2 Years of Age
MMWR, September 10, 2010 / 59
CDC recommends that clinicians in the United States use the new WHO international growth charts, rather than the CDC growth charts, for children less than 24 months.

The State Indicator Report on Fruits & Vegetables, 2009 (PDF - 1.36Mb) provides national and state-specific information on fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and policy and environmental supports. The behavioral indicators are derived from objectives for F&V outlined in Healthy People 2010. The policy and environmental indicators measure a state's ability to support the consumption of F&V through increased access, availability, and reduced price in schools and communities. The report can be used to inform decision makers and track progress.

The National Action Guide (PDF-160k) summarizes the national data on F&V consumption, policy, and environmental supports and provides potential actions that government and business leaders, coalitions, community-based organizations, and professionals can take to improve Americans' nutrition along with resources for taking action.

Weight Management Research to Practice Series
The CDC Weight Management Research to Practice Series is designed to summarize the science on a weight management topic for health professionals and the lay audience.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides advice about how good dietary habits for people aged 2 years and older can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.
Also available, a brochure for consumers: Let's Eat for the Health of It. (PDF-967k)

ChooseMyPlate.gov
This Web site features practical information and tips to help Americans build healthier diets.

Food Safety
Food safety sites designed to help consumers get the latest information on food safety and food recalls.

• HHS and USDA Food Safety Consumer Site
• FDA's Recalls, Withdrawals and Alerts in the Last 60 Days
• CDC Food Safety