Nutrition News & Views

May 12, 1999
USDA Unveils Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children - May 1999/No. 4

On March 25, 1999, USDA unveiled the new Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children. This event took place at the Washington, D.C. Capital Children's Museum.

The Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children is targeted to children ages two to six. Agriculture Secretary, Dan Glickman, said that "this new Pyramid is a great way to help parents and care givers start children off on the right track nutritionally." The Food Guide Pyramid for Children is very ‘child friendly' and gives parents and care givers an easy way to talk to their children about good health and healthy food choices.

"The key message of the children's pyramid is variety," according to Glickman. The new children's food guide pyramid also emphasizes physical exercise, balanced meals, moderation, and a variety of food choices for good health.

Resources

A 16-page booklet is available, "Tips for Using the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children 2 to 6 Years Old." This booklet contains the pyramid and accompanying information for good nutrition for good health for children. This booklet is available to the public at http://www.usda.gov/cnpp, the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Internet Home Page, or by calling the Government Printing Office at (202) 512-1800 and asking for stock number 001-00004665-9.

Submitted by: Lisa Selman, MSU Dietetic Intern
Distributed by: Barbara McLaurin, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., Human Nutrition Specialist, MSU Extension Service, May 1999

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