The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide important recommendations on diet, nutrition and health, and serve as the foundation for federal food-assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps), WIC and school meals. The USDA and Department of Health and Human Services are expected to release updated guidelines by the end of this year; they were last updated in 2010. As part of the process, an Advisory Committee (DGAC) has just released a scientific report, which provides advice for the final policy report on essential nutrients, the importance of physical activity, sustainability, the food environment, and more.

The committee calls for "immediate attention and bold action" to address health challenges affecting the U.S. population, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Specific findings from the report: 

• Several nutrients are under-consumed by the US population. Of particular concern are calcium, vitamin D, fiber, potassium and iron (for women and girls). On the other hand, sodium and saturated fat are over consumed. 
• The majority of the US population does not eat enough vegetables, fruit, whole grains and dairy. On the other hand, we eat too many refined grains and sugars. 
• Overall, children ages 2-5 are consuming recommended amounts of fruits and dairy; however, we still need a better understanding of how to kick-start healthy eating habits in young kids.
• Healthy behaviors include “reducing screen time, reducing the frequency of eating out at fast food restaurants, increasing frequency of family shared meals, and self-monitoring of diet and body weight as well as effective food labeling to target healthy food choices.” 
• The sustainability of our food choices is an important consideration; diets higher in plant-based foods, and lower in calories and animal-based foods, are associated with less environmental impact.
• It’s essential that all communities have access to food choices that respect cultural preferences; immigrant communities are at risk for losing these traditions.
• Approaches to obesity prevention that utilize multiple strategies are most effective. These can include policies to increase access to healthy foods and beverages, increased physical activity, and increase parent-engagement in child care and schools. 
• Moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet pattern… Limited or no consumption of high caffeine drinks, or other products with high amounts of caffeine, is advised for children and adolescents.”