California Updates Nutrition Guide to Address Specific Age, Ethnic Groups
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
May 15, 2008
The California Department of Health Care Services has unveiled a new online resource designed to encourage healthy eating and fitness habits among state residents, the Thousand Oaks Acorn reports. Last updated in 1990, the new 2008 California Food Guide outlines nutrition and fitness needs by age and racial and ethnic background. It also includes guidelines for low-income populations and pregnant and breast-feeding women. The guide, which is designed for caregivers and health educators, offers information on health issues such as diabetes, vegetarian diets, environmental food contaminants and food insecurity. According to Sandra Shewry, the director of the state public health department, the guide is another tool to encourage Californians to make healthier choices and reverse the epidemic of obesity." (Thousand Oaks Acorn, 5/15/08; Department of Health Care Services release, 5/9/08; California Food Guide, May 2008).