MyPyramid for Kids

MyPyramid For Kids

USDA Guidelines for Children 6-11

With one in three children born in 2000 expected to develop type II diabetes during their lifetimes, the importance of preventing childhood obesity is greater than ever. (NEW: DIABETES BROCHURE) The USDA has spearheaded this effort with their promotion of MyPyramid for Kids, a simplified version of the adult pyramid, specifically aimed at children ages 6 to 11.

Like the updated MyPyramid for Adults, the children's edition seeks to communicate the new government guidelines about what constitutes healthy eating, replacing the familiar horizontal division of food groups with colorful vertical rays aimed at illustrating proportion (for example, the rays for fruits and vegetable are wider than that for the protein group, indicating that children should consume more of the former in relation to the latter). ("THE NEW FOOD PYRAMID" then NEW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, both DNN) Under the banner of "Eat Right. Exercise. Have Fun," the key messages of this campaign include

Daily physical activity, symbolized by the child climbing the steps to the left of the pyramid.
Eat more dark green veggies and colorful fruit (fresh, frozen, dried or packaged).
Make half your grains whole.
Go lean with protein, and include more fish, beans, peas, nuts and seeds.

Recognizing that most people first learn about nutrition in elementary school, officials wanted to develop resources that would help teach students about the new Food Guidance System and whet their appetite to learn more about proper nutrition. Among the tools available to educators and parents are classroom materials, a MyPyramid for Kids poster, worksheet, coloring pages and tips for families. Kids will love the MyPyramid Blast Off Game: an interactive computer game where users fuel up their rocket by making healthy food choices, clicking, dragging and dropping icons into their "tank," which then gives them feedback on the nutrition value of their selections.

The Dole Nutrition Institute also provides a cornucopia of helpful information on children's nutrition via their SuperKids web site and downloadable resources, such as the "Healthy Kids" brochure (#4 in our Health and Wellness series).


MyPyramid For Kids USDA Guidelines for Children 6-11 With one in three children born in 2000 expected to develop type II diabetes during their lifetimes, the importance of preventing childhood obesity is greater than ever. (NEW: DIABETES BROCHURE) The USDA has spearheaded this effort with their promotion of MyPyramid for Kids, a simplified version of the adult pyramid, specifically aimed at children ages 6 to 11. Like the updated MyPyramid for Adults, the children's edition seeks to communicate the new government guidelines about what constitutes healthy eating, replacing the familiar horizontal division of food groups with colorful vertical rays aimed at illustrating proportion (for example, the rays for fruits and vegetable are wider than that for the protein group, indicating that children should consume more of the former in relation to the latter). ("THE NEW FOOD PYRAMID" then NEW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, both DNN) Under the banner of "Eat Right. Exercise. Have Fun," the key messages of this campaign include Daily physical activity, symbolized by the child climbing the steps to the left of the pyramid. Eat more dark green veggies and colorful fruit (fresh, frozen, dried or packaged). Make half your grains whole. Go lean with protein, and include more fish, beans, peas, nuts and seeds. Recognizing that most people first learn about nutrition in elementary school, officials wanted to develop resources that would help teach students about the new Food Guidance System and whet their appetite to learn more about proper nutrition. Among the tools available to educators and parents are classroom materials, a MyPyramid for Kids poster, worksheet, coloring pages and tips for families. Kids will love the MyPyramid Blast Off Game: an interactive computer game where users fuel up their rocket by making healthy food choices, clicking, dragging and dropping icons into their "tank," which then gives them feedback on the nutrition value of their selections. The Dole Nutrition Institute also provides a cornucopia of helpful information on children's nutrition via their SuperKids web site and downloadable resources, such as the "Healthy Kids" brochure (#4 in our Health and Wellness series).