Viewpoint: The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are broken. Here’s what needs to be done to fix it.

To address this [chronic disease] crisis, for children and adults alike, our response should be bipartisan. As former members [Janet C. King and Cheryl Achterberg] of the expert committee that oversees the science for the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, we can tell you that these chronic diseases are primarily driven by poor diet, and our guidelines are part of the problem. … [T]hese chronic diseases are primarily driven by poor diet, and our guidelines are part of the problem.

The guidelines represent more than just suggestions. They’re the nation’s nutritional North Star, guiding everything from school lunches to military and hospital food and dietary advice by doctors and nutritionists.  But they’ve led us astray. Today, over 70 percent of American adults and one-fifth of the children are overweight or obese, with rates even higher in low-income families. This isn’t just a health crisis; it’s a national security crisis, too. One in three young adults is too overweight for military service.

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The farm bill’s proposed changes offer a chance to break this cycle. By mandating greater transparency and adherence to rigorous scientific standards, we can begin to rebuild trust in these crucial recommendations.

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