An evaluation of dietary guidance graphic alternatives: the evolution of the eating right pyramid

The pyramid graphic was found to be most effective in conveying the messages of moderation and proportionality. The pyramid design might be further strengthened in conveying the total moderation message by including both FOS pictures and symbols in the same graphic. The pyramid also has considerable strength in promoting the message of variety. More important, the pyramid graphic did not convey misinformation about variety, proportionality, and moderation or about the importance of consuming foods in adequate amounts from all the major food groups to achieve a healthful diet. The bowl design was found to be far less effective in promoting the moderation and proportionality messages, but did illustrate the variety message somewhat better than the pyramid. Although respondents indicated a preference for the bowel shape, it is important to note that even in the groups where preference for the bowl was the strongest (i.e., younger, less educated, ethnic minority, and low-income respondents), the pyramid was more likely to be identified as the graphic that suggested the moderation-of-fat message most clearly. Further, preference for the bowl was not linked to effectiveness of intended messages in those groups. In this study, the shape a respondent preferred was of less importance to policy development than the amount of intended information conveyed by each graphic.