Nutrition and Nutrition Promotion for Families

Nutritional patterns have changed in American society, as families have moved away from growing and preparing their meals, to consuming a variety of abundant processed, “junk,” and fast foods. As Americans' diets have changed, their intake has become increasingly high in fats, sodium, starches, and calories. Of concern is that family members are consuming fewer servings and varieties of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and more fats, sugar, and sodium than recommended by the guidelines in Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 developed [Page 770]by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Unhealthy nutritional patterns impact the health of family members and can potentially lead to health problems such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or Type 2 ...