Community health advisors' perceptions of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid.

Abstract

This article describes knowledge and perception of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DG) and MyPyramid from 106 Community Health Advisors (CHAs) representing underserved, hard-to-reach communities in Alabama and Mississippi. Only 16 (15%) were able to correctly identify the MyPyramid graphic and DG knowledge scores were low. However, most respondents strongly agreed they would like to know more about the DG (86%) and more should be done in their community to raise awareness (81%). The Internet was the least preferred method to communicate DG. More intense efforts and appropriate communication channels are needed to promote the DG and MyPyramid.