The 21 nutrition objectives established as part of the Healthy People 2000 initiative identify national goals for fostering the dietary changes needed to reduce the risk of chronic disease and to improve health status. These objectives specify targets to be reached by the year 2000 and vary from increasing the number of worksites that offer programs on nutrition and weight control to reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency. Progress toward achieving these goals was recently evaluated. Overall, progress was found to be mixed, and some objectives may fall short of their targets. Although one goal is to reduce the prevalence of overweight to no more than 20% among persons 20 years of age and older, the prevalence instead increased from the baseline 26% to 34%. While the intake of total fat and saturated fat (as a percentage of calories) declined somewhat, only about one-fifth of persons 2 or more years of age consumed 30% or fewer calories from total fat, and the same proportion consumed less than 10% of calories from saturated fat. Less than one-third of adults consumed five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Nonetheless, the review of progress identified recently implemented programs and partnerships that are likely to assist in meeting the goals. Moreover, the review highlighted the particular importance of addressing lifestyle changes that include increased physical activity and targeting efforts to children and adolescents so as to encourage appropriate patterns early in life.
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