Integrative Nutrition has been at the forefront of the health revolution for over 20 years. I have long recognized America�s health crisis and have made a great social impact with the help of our students, grads, and allies. I am happy to see that the United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) are catching up!

Every 5 years, a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee with members from the USDA and HHS convenes to submit a report examining any �new scientific evidence� that may �inform revisions to the current guidance or suggest new guidance.� In other words, revisions to the government�s MyPlate guidelines come from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee�s Scientific Report.

This year�s report recognizes what I have been saying and teaching for years: The United States is facing �major diet-related health problems.� The Committee writes that about 50% (117 million people!) have at least one preventable chronic disease related to �poor quality dietary patterns and physical inactivity.� More than 2/3 of adults and almost 1/3 of children are overweight or obese. The 2015 report also recognizes the �economic and social costs� of the diet-related health problems that we are facing.

I�ve said it before, and I�ll say it until we have won (and we will win!): Health Coaches are desperately needed, now more than ever. Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches help people to choose whole foods, to find the diet that�s right for them, and to stay accountable in a world where it can be hard to find support for living a healthy lifestyle. 

Over the coming days, I�ll be sharing the findings of the Dietary Guidelines Committee that you need to know to stay well-informed. There will be a few surprises along the way! The tide is turning, slowly but surely. So stay tuned�   

Joshua Rosenthal, Founder, Director, and Primary Teacher of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition shares his wisdom about creating a healthy and happy life that helps transform the world.