Reports and Recommendations

These selected key reports and recommendations from government agencies and scientific organizations provide direction and science-based evidence to guide prevention efforts.

The State Indicator Report on Fruits & Vegetables, 2009 (PDF-1.23Mb) 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.

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)

Healthy People 2010 Nutrition and Overweight Objectives
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Healthy People 2010 is the prevention agenda for the nation. It is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats. Specific objectives have also been developed for physical activity and fitness.

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, 2001
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity calls upon individuals, families, communities, schools, worksites, organizations, government, and the media to work together to build solutions to prevent and control overweight and obesity in the United States.

Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2004 (PDF-24.58 Mb)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Surgeon General's report is a call for Americans to take action to improve and maintain healthy bones. Recommendations on what Americans can do to decrease the likelihood of developing osteoporosis are provided. The report also provides health care professionals with recommendations related to identifying and evaluating osteoporosis risk factors among patients.

Institute of Medicine — Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance*
Institute of Medicine
The IOM Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth has developed a comprehensive national strategy that recommends specific actions for families, schools, industry, communities, and government. This prevention-oriented action plan was in response to a request from Congress to tackle the rise in childhood obesity,

Institute of Medicine — Dietary Reference Intakes*
Institute of Medicine
The Food and Nutrition Board, in partnership with Health Canada, has updated the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), is the inclusive name for the recommendations. This site provides more information about the DRI projects, DRI nutrient tables, and ordering information for DRI-related reports.