Information Collection: Generic Clearance for the Development of Nutrition Education Messages and Products for the General Public

Summary

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection. This notice announces the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's (CNPP) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's approval of the information collection processes and instruments to be used during consumer research while testing nutrition education messages and products developed for the general public. The purpose of performing consumer research is to identify consumers' understanding of potential nutrition education messages and obtain their reaction to prototypes of nutrition education products, including internet-based tools. The information collected will be used to refine messages and improve the usefulness of products as well as aid consumer understanding of Dietary Guidelines -grounded messages and related materials.

Abstract

The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts consumer research to identify key issues of concern related to the public understanding the consumer translation of key guidance from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines or Guidelines) into consumer messages, tools and resources.

As background, the Dietary Guidelines is a primary source of dietary health information in the form of technical publication written for use by professional audiences, not consumers. Users include federal agencies, health professionals, policy makers, and nutrition educators. Issued jointly by the USDA and Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years, the Guidelines serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy and form the basis for these agencies' development of consumer nutrition education efforts (nutrition messaging and development of consumer materials). Translation of key guidance from the technically written Dietary Guidelines into consumer messages and resources is essential so that the public has resources to help them make healthier eating choices. After the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for use by professional audiences, a consumer communication initiative built around USDA's new MyPlate icon, including the resources at www.MyPlate.gov, was launched. MyPlate is a visual cue supported by messages and resources to help consumers make better food choices; these consumer materials are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. It illustrates the five food groups and uses a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting, to prompt Americans to eat more healthfully. Information collected from consumer research will be used in further development of consumer nutrition messages and related resources to be communicated through MyPlate. These may include:

1. Messages and resources that help consumers make healthier food choices, grounded in the latest Dietary Guidelines;
2. Additions and enhancements to the www.MyPlate.gov website;
3. Materials relaying consumer messages supporting MyPlate, grounded in the latest Dietary Guidelines, for special population groups; and
4. New policy, messages, resources, and tools that might be developed as a result of the most current Dietary Guidelines, as well as the most currently available technologies.

CNPP works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers across the lifespan.

CNPP has among its major functions the development and coordination of nutrition guidance within USDA and is involved in the investigation of techniques for effective nutrition communication. Under Subtitle D of the National Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 USC 3171-3175), the Secretary of Agriculture is required to develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension program, including the development of techniques to assist consumers in selecting food that supplies a nutritionally adequate diet. Pursuant to 7 CFR 2.19(a)(3), the Secretary of Agriculture has delegated authority to CNPP for, among other things, developing materials to aid the public in selecting food for good nutrition; coordinating nutrition education promotion and professional education projects within the department; and consulting with the federal and state agencies, the Congress, universities, and other public and private organizations and the general public regarding food consumption and dietary adequacy.

Under Section 301 of PL 101-445 (7 USC 5341, the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990, Title III) the Secretaries of USDA and HHS are directed to publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans jointly at least every five years. The law instructs that this publication shall contain nutritional and dietary information and guidelines for the general public, shall be based on the preponderance of scientific and medical knowledge current at the time of publication, and shall be promoted by each federal agency in carrying out any federal food, nutrition, or health program. Recent editions of the Dietary Guidelines provide dietary advice for Americans across the lifespan. By translating the Dietary Guidelines into consumer friendly nutrition education communication materials, CNPP and partnering agencies are able to help Americans make better or healthier food and beverage choices that can help improve health. One of the primary ways CNPP helps Americans apply the nutrition guidance in their daily lives is by developing and maintaining interactive, digital tools. CNPP's digital resources and tools provide hands-on learning opportunities that empower Americans to think critically about their food and health choices. Maintaining and enhancing CNPP's digital resources and tools are key in reversing the trend of childhood obesity and building a healthier next generation.

USDA's MyPlate icon is supported by a robust consumer nutrition education program to assist Americans in selecting foods for a dietary pattern that is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines.

Ensuring that MyPlate resources and related tools are useful to intended audiences is critical to CNPP's work and is a major activity included in its 5-year strategic plan in fulfillment of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (31 USC 9701).