U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has been a strong advocate for child health and is helping in the fight against childhood obesity. She wrote an article for the Washington Post in August 2010 regarding a Child Nutrition Bill, saying "We owe it to the children who aren't reaching their potential because they're not getting the nutrition they need during the day...And we owe it to our country--because our prosperity depends on the health and vitality of the next generation." The USDA has developed a food guide pyramid for children to help parents and caregivers know how to provide a balanced diet for their children.
History
The first food guide for young children was published in 1916 by the USDA. It has evolved and changed over the years based on economic needs and scientific research. At times there were as many as 12 food groups and other times as few as four. The current food guide pyramid was published in 2005.
Food Groups
USDA's current food guide pyramid for kids lists six food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meats. Each group is depicted in the pyramid in a different color and size indicating the need for variety and proper proportions. The grain group is the largest section of the pyramid, which means a child's diet should consist mostly of grains. Next in size is the vegetable group, then milk and fruits. The smallest group is oils.
Amounts of Food
The food guide pyramid lists the amount of food from each group needed for a 1,800 calorie diet. Smaller children may not need quite this many calories and bigger, more active children may require more calories. For a 1,800 calorie diet, a child should eat 6oz. of grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 1.5 cups of fruits, 3 cups of milk and 5oz. of meat every day. For more specific information regarding your child's nutrition needs, go to MyPyramid.gov.
Considerations
Each group on the food guide pyramid has a suggestion or two for healthy choices within that group. Choose whole grains. Eat a variety of vegetables including dark green and orange or yellow ones. Limit your child's juice intake and make sure it's 100 percent juice. Choose low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Eat lean meats and don't forget about beans as a protein source. By following these suggestions, you will be providing your child with a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Balancing Exercise and Food
Exercise is an important part of your child's overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This can be any type of activity from playing sports, dance, riding bikes to simply playing actively outside with friends. USDA's food guide pyramid for children has illustrations of children participating in many different activities, indicating the importance of balancing food and exercise.
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