Chapter 1: From "Eat More" to "Eat Less," 1900-1990

In 1900, the leading causes of death were from infectious disease; today, however, the leading of causes of death are chronic diseases. What accounts for the differences? Improvements in housing, sanitation, medicine, and nutrition.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created in 1862. It might be shocking to hear that it was not until 1965 that the USDA first started collecting information about the food intake of individuals. With the USDA's responsibility to "ensure a sufficient and reliable food supply" and diffuse useful information to the people on agricultural subjects, I would have expected individuals' diets to have been considered earlier in the game. I guess the USDA did not see that as a necessity.

This chapter addresses the development of dietary guidelines on a federal level. What I gained most from the chapter was an improved understanding of the influence of politics and industry on dietary guideline creation. I was shocked to see the interest of specific groups (ie -- the meat and sugar industries, farmers, etc...) play such a significant role in the publication of guidelines. As mentioned in the Introduction, I found it hard to understand how sales and income schemes could be placed above the health of the nation. Such little changes as from "eat less" recommendations to the vague phrase of "avoid too much" were implemented. In creating the dietary guidelines, the committee also altered words to make them positive and less restrictive and noted "any food that supplies calories or nutrients should be recognized as useful in a nutritious diet." The ambiguity of these statements bewilders me. Any food with calories is useful?! Really? It is easy to understand why our nation is so confused about dietary recommendations. It would be nice if the guidelines were not so elusive.