Interest groups and government policy provide a confusing setting for obesity policy. For example, the USDA and industry simultaneously bombard us with the messages "Eat More Beef" and "Aim for a Healthy Weight."

Dietary guidelines issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) form the basis for nutrition policy in Federal food, education, and information programs (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010). This article presents alternative policy options regarding the implementation of the...