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Release No. 0439.99 

Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
andy.solomon@usda.gov

Jim Borland(202) 690-0469
jim.borland@usda.gov 

GLICKMAN URGES AMERICANS TO IMPROVE EATING HABITS, LAUNCHES
NEW USDA EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE AMERICAN DIET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 1999 Addressing a national conference on dietary behavior, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today challenged Americans to dramatically improve their eating habits. 

"The ultimate challenge falls to the American people to take responsibility for their own health, to improve their diets and increase
physical activity," said Glickman, citing a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed a tremendous increase in obesity among Americans. "Government can shine the spotlight and direct resources to
solving the problems of obesity and poor nutrition. But only individuals can commit themselves to good nutrition and good health." 

Glickman announced a number of steps that USDA will take to serve as a catalyst in changing dietary behaviors among Americans. 

USDA will soon release Dietary Guidelines 2000, providing common sense advice about good nutrition and healthy lifestyles for the new millennium.

A National Nutrition Summit, cosponsored by USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will call attention to the need for better nutrition. 

In May, USDA will start a new Behavioral Nutrition Research Initiative, bringing together USDA researchers, the academic community, and the private sector to explore Americans' food choices. 

In the spring, USDA will start a nutrition intervention pilot program in the Mississippi Delta.

A new Interactive Healthy Eating Index, an Internet-based tool, will allow users to grade their own diets and track changes in their diets over time. 

Glickman said that USDA will also continue to work with partners in the public and private sectors to deliver practical advice on nutrition and health directly to consumers. He cited plans by Quaker Oats to begin placing USDA's new Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children on hot cereal boxes in January 2000. 

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