Getting to know the Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults.

o M M t a m fl i a p s m i m o i vibrant, colorful new version of the Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults features graphics onsistent with the general MyPyraid model, yet highlights the unique ietary needs for adults aged 70 and lder. The Modified MyPyramid for lder Adults, developed by researchrs at Tufts University in Boston, coninues to emphasize the importance of utrientand fiber-rich foods within ach group, but the updated version ow provides additional guidance oncerning alternate food forms and he importance of regular exercise nd adequate fluid intake (1). The Modified MyPyramid for Older dults is not intended as a substitute or the US Department of Agriculure’s MyPyramid, which is a multiunctional Web-based program that rovides individualized dietary guidnce based on sex, age, height, eight, and exercise habits. However, edagogic issues related to Internetavvy, Web access, and computer vailability for older adults prompted esearchers to develop a graphic verion of MyPyramid for older adults. In 2005-2006, Linda Roberts, MS, D, and Melissa Ventura Marra, hD, RD—two active members of he Consultant Dietitians in Health are Facilities (CDHCF) dietetic ractice group—were involved in a DHCF-organized task force whose ission was to determine whether lanned menus in nursing homes hould follow the MyPyramid guideines. Ventura-Marra completed a utritional analysis of 10 menus rovided by taskforce members from cross the country and discovered hat all of the menus fell short of roviding nutrients at Recom-