2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are based on the most recent scientific evidence review. The guidelines provide “information and advice for choosing a healthy eating pattern—namely, one that focuses on nutrient-dense foods and beverages and that contributes to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.” The guidelines link poor nutrition and lack of physical activity to major causes of illness and death. Also included is information on food safety principles. The guidelines are reviewed by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years and updated as new scientific information emerges. As the epidemic of obesity and related illnesses continues, it is important that Americans have information to make better choices in their eating habits and lifestyles.

Introduction to the MyPlate Icon

Because of the rise in childhood obesity and related illnesses, the 2010 White House Child Obesity Task Force requested that reasonable advice be developed to help facilitate easier healthy food choices. The 2010 guidelines are helpful, but both adults and children have had difficulty understanding and using the MyPyramid icon. As a result, the MyPlate icon was designed to replace MyPyramid (Figure 6-1). In June 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack introduced the new icon. The White House is playing a leading role by coordinating the USDA guidelines with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative.

Moderate physical activity

A pleasant surprise is that any amount of exercise is helpful. As little as 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on most or all days of the week will make a noticeable difference in your health.

Start the day with a stretch and flex

Stretching and flexing cannot be overemphasized for the nurse.

Making minimal effort pay off at work

Items you bring to work can enable you to strengthen certain groups of muscles. Here are some examples:

Once you are at work, stretching is essential for different reasons. Take a few minutes to stretch (warm up) the muscle groups before beginning patient care. Relax and breathe deeply while you stretch. It is worth finding stretching exercises that you can work in periodically throughout the day. They should become increasingly pleasant and soothing. Here are some examples:

Use exercises that you use to stretch muscles before working out. Obviously you will have to limit your exercises to those you can do while standing or sitting. Nursing is a form of working out and deserves the same thoughtful preparation you would use for an exercise activity.

Preventing injuries

The ANA launched a “Handle with Care” campaign in 2003. The purpose is to reeducate nurses in principles of safe handling and movement of patients in a way that prevents injury to both the patient and the nurse. In the fall of 2005, a safe patient handling and movement (SPHM) pilot curriculum was funded in 26 nursing programs. Multiple pieces of ergonomically correct lifting devices were provided for the projects. The cost of such equipment has been a factor in initiating similar programs across the country. In 2005, Texas, Ohio, and New York approved laws. In 2006, the state of Washington enacted legislation mandating the development of policies and the acquisition of lifting devices, and allowing tax credits for the cost of equipment (Crocker, 2006).

Back (gait) belts were initially thought to be a partial answer, but intensive study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety (NOSHA) has not been able to prove the claims. Lifting devices have proved to be of help when used properly, but not all lifting devices are created equal. An ergonomically correct device must be chosen for a particular lift, and the nurse must know how to operate it properly. Sometimes nurses avoid using a lift, even if that would be the best choice, because it is stored away from the area or improperly maintained. Sometimes nurses have forgotten how to use the device because of a time lapse. If properly used, mechanical devices can minimize injury. Ceiling lifts have become popular and are installed in the ceiling of a patient’s room.

An interesting factor is that many nurses experience injury as a result of accumulative trauma—slowly over a period of time with repeated stress. Administration is paying more attention to long-term cost savings. Having an ergonomic evaluation of their agency, buying the correct mechanical lift devices for their service, and training nurses to use the devices correctly have proved cost effective by decreasing the number of back and shoulder injuries. Compared with lost nursing days, insurance, medical costs, workers’ compensation costs, and so forth, the benefits far outweigh the cost of the mechanical devices.