ProfNet Wire: Health & Medicine: New Dietary Guidelines

ROUND-UP: NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES

Following are experts who can discuss the updated dietary guidelines released by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Jan. 12:

**1. ELIZABETH PIVONKA, Ph.D., R.D., president of the PRODUCE FOR BETTER HEALTH FOUNDATION (PBH), which provided input to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: “It is critical that we do whatever it takes to educate people about the importance of the guidelines and how these recommendations can help them lead longer, healthier lives. Making sure Americans know the dietary guidelines and understand the powerful health benefits they represent are the first steps.”

**2. MICHELE L. BACHHUBER, M.D., internal medicine specialist at MARSHFIELD CLINIC in Marshfield, Wis.: “Encouraging increased consumption of whole-grain products, fruits and vegetables is a great first step in battling obesity, but we also need to educate Americans on appropriate portion size and nutritional labeling. I believe many consumers will take note of the new dietary guidelines and welcome the changes." Bachhuber is an expert on the topics of obesity, healthy lifestyles and weight management. She chairs the Wisconsin Medical Society’s task force on obesity, is medical director for Marshfield Clinic’s Health Management Resources (HMR) Program, a medically supervised weight-loss program, and served as medical director of the Preoperative & Health Screening Center. Her work includes researching the safety and effectiveness of the weight-loss drug Meridia.

**3. RUSSELL LA FORTE, M.D., director of the Center for Weight Management at THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON, gives the new “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005” a grade of B-: "The recommendations are good generally, but on an individual basis, they may not be as reliable. I think that the recommendations reflect a fairly thorough review of what is scientifically well-founded and accepted in the medical community, as far as the topics covered. But, everyone is different —- each having their own unique genetic make-up. Some people need more of certain vitamins than others to enjoy optimum health. Overall, if you eat what the report tells you to eat, you’ll probably do better than you are now. But none of the healthy eating will do you any good if you don’t increase your physical activity. This, as far as I am concerned, was the USDA’s best recommendation.”

**4. DR. JAMES SAPALA, M.D., FACS, director of bariatric surgery at ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL: "Americans should realize that the major problem we have in this country, health-wise, is morbid obesity. The Department of Agriculture figures from 1904 show that approximately 5 percent to 6 percent of the adult population was overweight. In 100 years, we’ve increased from 5 percent to 65 percent. This is a lifestyle change that has occurred probably in the last 20 to 30 years. We believe contributing factors are the fast-food industry, the use of trans-fats, which may increase one’s resistance to insulin, the use of high-density carbohydrate foods, super-sizing the volume of food we eat and a sedentary lifestyle."

**5. JUDITH SHERMAN-WOLIN, ACSM H/FI, NSCA-CPT, author and exercise specialist for the UCLA CENTER FOR HUMAN NUTRITION: "Dietary guidelines may change from year to year as new scientific data emerges, but the one consistent recommendation all health organizations agree upon is that Americans need more exercise. About 60 percent of Americans are under- exercised and 25 percent are completely sedentary. Almost all, however, understand that exercise is critical to protect and maintain their health. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests most Americans should participate in some form of physical activity on all or most days of the week. For the general, healthy population a complete exercise program includes aerobic activity, strength training and flexibility exercises. These guidelines remain constant."

**6. DR. AYAZ VIRJI, author and medical director of MPMPC WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: "I welcome the HHS and USDA's updating of the current food guide pyramid. The obesity epidemic has tripled over the last 30 years, and many obesity-related chronic diseases, including diabetes and coronary artery disease, have demonstrated a parallel rise in numbers. We have experienced an influx of new data demonstrating the efficacy of a variety of different eating patterns, which contribute to weight loss and overall health. Such data include studies involving modified carbohydrate, high protein and low glycemic index dieting. It will be a challenge to synergize this data with the current governmental dietary guidelines on healthy eating. I believe we will see a new emphasis placed on fruits and vegetables over starchy grain products, as well as a clearer message helping Americans differentiate between unhealthy saturated fat and heart-healthy unsaturated fat. The science of nutrition, like other medical sciences, is an evolutionary process."

**7. GEORGIANNA DONADIO, D.C., M.SC., PH.D., founder, president and CEO of the NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF WHOLE HEALTH EDUCATION, is an award-winning integrative health expert and the pioneer of the concept of Whole Health Education: "Given the escalating problems with increased pathologies at younger ages, it would make sense to invite the public to become more aware of moderation not only in their eating, but in the behaviors related to eating. Excessive multi-tasking, working long hours, lack of exercise, lack of rest, increased debt, anxiety, and worry all contribute to the patterns and choices people establish in relationship to eating. It takes more than dietary guidelines to change the behaviors that result in poor eating habits."

**8. SALLY KRAVICH, holistic nutritionist and iridologist, has been an expert in holistic nutrition for over 20 years and is the author of "Vibrant Living," a proactive guide to radiant health. Her expertise has recently been featured in Harper's Bazaar and Essence magazine. Kravich has a bi-coastal practice in New York and Los Angeles: "The proper guidelines for nutrition should be six to eight vegetables, three to four proteins, two to three fresh fruits, two healthy fats, and one to two healthy starches per day in order to promote greater health and longevity. These numbers can vary based on special dietary needs. In addition to eating in this format, one should still take extra supplementation."

**9. JACOB TEITELBAUM, M.D., director of the CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/FIBROMYALGIA THERAPIES: "The Standard American Diet is just that -- SAD. We are low on nutrition and high on junk food. The average American consumes 150 lbs. of sugar a year. It's no wonder that we have an obesity epidemic, runaway diabetes and chronic illnesses of all kinds." Teitelbaum is a leading expert in integrative and nutritional medicine. His research on effective treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia was published in the refereed Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (8:2:01) and editorialized in the Journal of the American Academy of Pain Management.

**10. JENNY DEAN, MS, RD, registered dietitian for MARR BARR COMMUNICATIONS: "Americans are looking for easy answers concerning nutrition and health, but it really comes down to the common-sense prescription of balance, variety and moderation. The dietary guidelines provide strong scientific support for that message." Dean has worked several years in nutrition education and now consults with food and beverage companies regarding nutrition and health issues. She specializes in communicating food, nutrition, and health issues to the food industry, consumers and the media.

**11. DEBBIE MANDEL, M.A., stress-management specialist and author of "Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul": "The latest dietary guideline, which is actually the oldest and most natural, is exercise -- cardio alternating with strength training. Smaller and more frequent portions of balanced eating, plenty of fruits and vegetables, nutrient-dense foods, and foods that contain a natural amount of water are also good recommendations. Don’t buy lycopenes, fiber, luteins, beta-carotenes, anti- oxidants, etc. Instead, buy a rainbow array of fruits and vegetables. Aim for brown foods like brown rice, whole grain cereals and breads. Eat together as a family -- engage in positive conversation, particularly about food. Manage your stress -- many of us overeat when our hearts are empty. Schedule some exercise daily. Ten minutes here and there add up. Concentrate on compound movements. And, if you eat out, take half home with you for tomorrow."

**12. JOAN BREIBART, president of the PILATES PHYSICALMIND INSTITUTE, a worldwide organization that certifies Pilates instructors, and founder of DIET DIRECTIVES, is an expert in diet, weight-loss, nutrition and fitness: "Although the U.S. recommended caloric intake numbers were reduced from 2,000 (2,000 for men and 1,800 for women), they are still too high and only serve to enrich the trillion-dollar food industry. The height of the average woman in the U.S. is 5’4”. We know that in order to maintain an ideal weight for this height -- 120 pounds -- her caloric intake should be 1,600 or less, not the 1800 now recommended, and 'fat-burning' exercise will not change this. Americans need to eat less quantity and move more. Smart exercise, not hard exercise, is what improves the body and the brain. The fitness and food industries cannot prove that more of either will work because this equation has failed."

**13. DAWN JACKSON BLATNER, registered dietician at NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL's Wellness Institute, can provide insight on what these new guidelines mean for families and how to best meet them: "The beautiful thing about these guidelines is that they are very user-friendly. Anyone can adapt these changes into their lifestyle. The message is simple -- calories count. The guidelines clearly say that, at the end of the day, calories will help people with weight loss." Blatner has been extensively quoted in national and Chicago media and also serves as an American Dietetic Association national media spokesperson.

**14. FRANCES COLETTA, Ph.D., R.D., director of product nutrition for SARA LEE BAKERY GROUP, is available to provide perspective on the role of carbohydrates, whole grains, and fiber in a healthy diet and how they are represented in the new dietary guidelines for Americans: “Greater awareness of sound nutrition science and people’s natural taste preference for bread will make 2005 the year of the whole grain. Scientists have connected whole- grain consumption to a decreased risk for heart disease, stroke, some cancers and type-2 diabetes. Whole grains may even help with weight control."

**15. AMY BARR, MS, EDM, RD, principal at MARR BARR COMMUNICATIONS, a nutrition communications agency: "It's great that the new dietary guidelines emphasize beans -- they are truly a superfood. Besides being high in protein, antioxidants and fiber, and low in fat, recent international research reveals that the secret to the Mediterranean diet is the beans." Barr has over 25 years of experience in the nutrition and health field, with expertise in consumer affairs, consumer trends, agriculture and organic foods. She has extensive spokesperson experience in food and nutrition issues.

**16. STACEY ZAWEL, principal of ZAWEL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE LLC: "The good news for consumers in this revision of the dietary guidelines is that Americans are being urged to eat more fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains and dairy products." Zawel specializes in translating scientific evidence into successful health communication strategies that meet the needs of government regulations and consumers alike.

**17. SYLVIA MELENDEZ-KLINGER, registered dietitian for HISPANIC FOOD COMMUNICATIONS: "With the constant changes in our U.S. demographics and health issues, especially among Hispanics, I believe we are ready for an update of our dietary guidelines." Melendez-Klinger is a culinary consultant whose expertise is in food and nutrition communications. A majority of her work involves Hispanic food and cultural communications.

**18. ROBERTA LARSON DUYFF, registered dietitian, author of "365 Days of Healthy Eating" from the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION and spokesperson for the CANNED FOOD ALLIANCE (CFA), can discuss her strategy for making the 2005 dietary guidelines part of a healthful lifestyle -- one step at a time: "A practical, 'can-do' approach can lead to success. And small, easy steps to eat smart and move more ultimately can add up to long-term health benefits. Canned foods offer a convenient, flavorful choice for stepping up to healthful eating."

**19. HEIDI BECKER, registered dietitian and consumer education specialist for PHARMAVITE, can offer tips on how Americans might alter their diet and lifestyle based on the new dietary guidelines: "The dietary guidelines suggest more fish consumption. For those who don't like to eat fish, but want to obtain the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, they can also try flaxseed oil, walnuts and dietary supplements."

**20. DEBRA STRONG, R.D., OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION: "What do these new recommendations mean for the average American family? Every five years, science-based advice is published to promote health and decrease the risk for major chronic diseases -- it follows what the food pyramid illustrates. Some of the topics to be included in 2005 are offering balanced meals with a variety of foods utilizing all the basic food groups, controlling calorie intake to prevent weight gain, incorporating physical activity every day, increasing fruits, vegetables, dairy products and whole grains, and decreasing the use of salt."