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Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman unveils the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children.

March 25, 1999
Web posted at: 5:08 p.m. EST (2208 GMT)

In this story: Food guide pyramids Recommended serving sizes RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As awareness intensifies about the growing problem of childhood obesity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a modified food guide pyramid, emphasizing healthy food choices, for children aged 2 to 6.

According to the American Dietetic Association, 15 percent of children in the United States are overweight, a statistic fueled by high-fat eating and sedentary lifestyles.

The Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children is an adaption of the original Food Guide Pyramid issued in 1992. The children's guide features images of single-serving foods commonly eaten by children such as a chicken drumstick, a lollipop, waffles and green beans.

"I think it will help children identify better what they ought to eat in moderation," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, who unveiled the new eating guide on Thursday.

The recommendations for the children's guide are simplified, with shorter food-group names and a set number of servings rather than a range of servings to meet nutrition needs. For example, the children's pyramid calls for 2 servings from the "milk group" rather than the original pyramid's 2 to 3 servings from the "milk, yogurt and cheese group."

Physical activity is stressed with images of children jump roping, running and walking a dog.

"This is a very good tool that caregivers can use to help make choices that will make a difference in their children's health," said the ADA'S Edith Howard Hogan.

Nutrition experts say advice such as eating smaller portions and encouraging physical activity was needed. However, some criticize the guide for simplifying too much, including the use of images such as a glass of milk, a hamburger and ice cream -- sources of saturated fat.

The advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest says the pyramid recommendations are good, but its members want to prevent special interest groups from unduly influencing children's eating habits.

"Congress and elsewhere should really be working hard to oppose the fast food, soft drinks, other junk food companies and encourage kids to eat a healthy diet, by banning junk food ads on children's television, improving the quality of food in schools and keeping junk out of schools," said CSPI's Michael Jacobson.

Medical Correspondent Eileen O'Connor contributed to this report.