CSPI says kids food pyramid a flop

The kids' version of the food pyramid is as ineffective as the adult version, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). "My Pyramid for Kids doesn't dare to discourage children from consuming so much soda, fast food, candy, and other junk foods," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "Even if MyPyramid for Kids were terrific, there's no strategy to put materials in every classroom in America--they're actually only making them available upon request."

Although the Department of Agriculture trumpets the high traffic at its MyPyramid.gov web site, a search via the web service Alexa.com shows that traffic peaked immediately after the site's launch, and plummeted quickly thereafter.

Instead of relying solely on the Internet, the government should take to the airwaves, according to CSPI. "When McDonald's wants to reach kids, it turns to television advertising first and foremost," said Jacobson. "If government is to improve kids' eating habits it should invest hundreds of millions of dollars on television advertising promoting healthy diets. If such a campaign made even a dent in obesity or diet-related disease, it would be a windfall for American taxpayers."

Bonnie - well said!