01/28/00 American Dietetic Association Looks Forward to its Critical Role in Implementing Healthy People 2010 Guidelines

American Dietetic Association Looks Forward to its Critical Role in Implementing Healthy People 2010 Guidelines

Press Release January 28, 2000

Contact: Tom Ryan, Lori Ferme or Bridget McManamon
1-800-877-1600, ext. 4894, 4802 or 4769
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CHICAGO - The Healthy People 2010 guidelines, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, represent a landmark opportunity to create a healthier future for the nation’s citizens in the coming decade, according to the American Dietetic Association, which has been deeply involved in shaping crucial nutrition objectives for the ambitious Healthy People project.

"Healthy People 2010 is a blueprint for improving the health of all Americans into the 21st century," said Ft. Wayne, Ind., registered dietitian and ADA President Ann Gallagher.

"You can’t have healthy people without optimal nutrition," Gallagher said.

"ADA is proud of its longstanding participation in Healthy People and of our part in developing and refining many of the new recommendations, especially those related to the role of nutrition in disease prevention and health promotion."

As the world’s largest association of food and nutrition professionals, ADA welcomes the chance to incorporate the Healthy People objectives into its countless public health activities and programs -- from individual patient and client counseling to professional education for dietetics professionals and partnerships with hundreds of other health-related organizations and associations, Gallagher said.

Involved with the Healthy People 2010 project from the outset, ADA formed a multidisciplinary task force, of nutrition professionals to review the draft objectives, released in late 1998. This task force then submitted 43 pages of comments.

The final Healthy People 2010 objectives incorporate many of ADA’s comments and suggestions, along with contributions from hundreds of public and private sector participants.

"These objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely," Gallagher said. "They concentrate on areas with significant payoff potential for the betterment of American health. As a result, they represent the best opportunity today for improving health and nutrition, and for serving as a guide and benchmark for health professionals."

Nineteen nutrition-based Healthy People objectives relate directly to such nutrition issues as weight status; intake levels of fat, vegetables, grain, calcium and sodium; iron deficiency and anemia; school meals and snacks; workplace nutrition education; food safety and security and linkages among nutrition, disease prevention, disease management and overall health.

The Healthy People objectives recognize that education and counseling related to diet and nutrition can be effective for people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. ADA had recommended that Healthy People objectives address these areas, and in particular to encourage increased access to medical nutrition therapy as provided by a registered dietitian.

Medical nutrition therapy has been proven effective in treating and controlling cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and other life-threatening conditions. "The evidence is compelling that patients receiving medical nutrition therapy require fewer hospitalizations and medications and have fewer complications," Gallagher said.

"Overall, organizations like ADA -- concerned with nutrition and health - have been handed a valuable tool in the Healthy People 2010 objectives. We look forward to continuing to work with HHS, other government agencies, industry, consumers, the scientific community and our members to put Healthy People into practice in the new millennium."

Based in Chicago, the 70,000-member American Dietetic Association serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. ADA has members in every state and in 70 countries. For the best and most up-to-date nutrition information, visit http://www.eatright.org.