Nutrition News & Views

April 13, 2000
Interactive Healthy Eating Index - April 2000/No. 1

April 13, 2000. US Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced the release of the Interactive Healthy Eating Index, a new on-line dietary assessment tool that provides a quick measure of a person's diet quality. "Obesity in American is at almost epidemic proportions," Glickman said. "This user friendly web site can help consumers carefully examine their own dietary habits and receive encouragement to improve diets."

Designed for use by the general public and nutrition professionals, the IHEI shows internet users how well they are meeting current dietary guidance. The index is based on 10 aspects of a healthy diet for persons two years of age and older, as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA's Food Guide Pyramid.

Consumers can analyze their dietary status and maintain a cumulative record so improvements in their diet can be observed. Nutrition messages targeted to the user's score provide helpful information on diet and health with links to websites for those individuals with specific health concerns.

"While not a substitute for advice from a nutrition or health professional," said Shirley Watkins, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, "the Interactive Healthy Eating Index is a first step consumers can take to receive science based guidance on healthful diets."

To view and use the IHEI, click here: Interactive Healthy Eating Index

Distributed by Barbara McLaurin, PhD, RD, LD, Human Nutrition Specialist, MSU Extension Service, April, 2000

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