Grains of Truth About Fad Diets & Obesity
Americans Realize Road to Good Health and Weight Loss a Long One
Grains of Truth About Fad Diets & Obesity
The consumer’s-eye view of … Dieting Obesity Grains
Grains of truth about dieting, obesity, and grains
Communicating nutrition truths
The Gallup Survey
What – Gallup survey of 1,000 primary grocery shoppers
Where – Survey was conducted throughout the United States
When – Participants were questioned fall 2002 How – Phone interviews of randomly selected
households were conducted Why – To gauge consumer attitudes
toward nutrition
Don’t Believe the Fad Diet Hype
75% of shoppers believe high-protein, low-carb diets can be difficult to maintain
70% agree their bodies need carbs for energy and eliminating carbs is not healthy
Don’t Believe the Fad Diet Hype
56% think high-protein, low-carb diets help you lose weight
61% think following a high-protein, low-carb diet is a safe way to lose weight
58% think carbs must be eliminated from the body to lose weight
Don’t Believe the Fad Diet Hype
23%
27%
35%
35%
45%
60%Low-fat diet
Food Guide Pyramid diet
Doctor-recommended diet
High-protein, low-carb diet
Weight-loss organization diet
Liquid diet/diet pills
Percentage of dieters who have tried a:
The Obesity Epidemic
Percentage of Americans that are overweight or obese: 64%
Percentage of Americans that correctly agree grain foods are not a cause of obesity: 69%
The Obesity Epidemic
According to parents of elementary/middle-school children, who is responsible for teaching children about nutrition?
Parents87%
Schools11%
Media/community organizations2%
The Obesity Epidemic
Often52%
Never12%
Don’t know2%
How often do parents talk to their kids about maintaining a healthful weight?
Rarely14%
Sometimes20%
Feeling Good About Grains
Consumers correctly agree grain foods can assist with health-related problems:
63%
81%
68%
76%Agree grain foods may help
prevent heart disease
Agree grain foods may help prevent cancer
Agree grain foods help increase energy
Agree grain foods help with weight control
Feeling Good About Grains
75%
83%
83%
53%
57%
60%
63%
Chicken noodle soup
Breakfast cereals
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches
Freshly baked bread
Crackers
Cereal snack bars
Muffins
Percentage of consumers who consider the following foods healthful:
Feeling Good About Grains
64%
68%
54%Agree enriched grain foodsare a good source of folic acid
Agree folic acid is helpful inreducing the risk of heart disease
Agree folic acid is helpfulin preventing birth defects
Feeling Good About GrainsPercentage who agree that:
45%
40%
45%
71%
44%
48%
52%
73%
48%
54%
56%
63%
36%
29%
38%
72%
2002
2000
1998
1996
Complex carbohydratesare good for you
Bread is fattening
Pasta is fattening
Starches should be avoided
Grains of Truth About Dieting
High-protein, low-carb diets American Heart Association issued advisory
warning of potential increased risk of cardiovascular disease
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center study showed increased risk for kidney stones, bone loss
Tufts University recently questioned validity of research supporting Atkins diet’s weight-loss claims
Sources: American Heart Association, October 2001; American Journal of Kidney Disease (40, 2:265-74, 2002); Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, January 2003
Grains of Truth About Dieting
Diets that eliminate enriched grains have dire consequences A study published in the Journal of the
American Medical Society found grain fortification with folic acid could decrease coronary heart disease
Neural tube birth defects decreased 23% following folic acid fortification of enriched grains, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sources: Journal of the American Medical Society, Aug. 22, 2001; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2002
Grains of Truth About Dieting
Glycemic index as a diet method American Diabetes Association says glycemic
index (GI) has limited value in diabetes prevention or in food selection
American Dietetic Association notes a healthful diet should include a variety of foods, including grains, and not be based on a single marker
Grains of Truth About Dieting
Healthy, long-term weight loss Factors for successful weight loss reported to
the National Weight Control Registry include eating a low-fat, high-carb diet
USDA study found high-carb dieters ate 300 fewer calories a day than low-carb dieters and were more likely to be in the normal weight range
Sources: Obesity Research, 2002 (10:78-82); USDA Agricultural Research Service; Journal of the American College of Nutrition, June 2002
Grains of Truth About Obesity
Americans (eating larger portions and exercising less) are now 64% overweight/obese One in six American kids are overweight or obese
Italy, France (where consumers eat more bread and pasta than Americans) boast lower obesity rates
Asian diet (high in vegetables and grains) linked to lower rates of obesity heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers
Grains of Truth About Grains
Grains of Truth About Grains
Fiber Adds bulk to digestion; assists with appetite control Soluble fiber can help lower blood cholesterol Insoluble fiber can help reduce risk of certain cancers Fiber in grain foods, especially insoluble fiber, may
protect against diverticular disease Folic acid
Helps prevent neural tube birth defects when 400 micrograms (mcg) are consumed daily before pregnancy
May help reduce risk of heart disease, some cancers, childhood leukemia, and Alzheimer’s
Grains of Truth About Grains
Carbohydrates Provide energy for working muscles and the brain May have a positive effect on weight regulation Are protein-sparing and the most efficient source
of energy
Antioxidants/phytoestrogens May help reduce risks of some forms of cancer May help fight menopausal symptoms
Grains of Truth About Grains
White bread Enriched flour Good source of iron, B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin,
and folic acid), and nearly 1 gram of fiber Contains as many antioxidants as many fruits & vegetables
Wheat bread Enriched and whole-wheat flour Contains various amounts of fiber and phytonutrients
Whole-wheat bread Whole-wheat flour Provides 2 to 3 grams of fiber per slice Contains numerous phytonutrients
Communicating Nutrition Truths
Link nutrition education to health concerns Relate the nutrition message to something they
already know Encourage adults to assess their own dietary practices Use active participation and learning, providing
opportunities for social interaction/support Include food demonstrations, recipes, and practical tips Honor cultural backgrounds, local customs, and
personal preferences Provide take-home materials, posters, and tip sheets
on healthy eating
Source: Contento, et al., (1995); Journal of Nutrition Education
Communicating Nutrition Truths
Divide responsibilities Parents should take responsibility for what, when, and
where children are offered food Children should take responsibility for how much or
whether they eat
Focus mealtime energies on providing healthy foods and creating happy, positive, family-oriented eating experiences
Source: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Consumer News — Nutrition & Your Child, Volume 3, 2002
Communicating Nutrition Truths
Make snack time a healthy choice — stock the kitchen with positive options and a variety of healthful foods
Strike a balance — at fast-food restaurants, allow children to pick a favorite food, but balance it with a healthy food like low-fat milk or a salad
Lead by example — studies show children’s eating habits tend to mirror those of their parents
Source: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Consumer News — Nutrition & Your Child, Volume 3, 2002
Need More Nutrition Resources?
www.wheatfoods.orgwww.usda.gov/cnpp