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DOCUNENT RZSUmW
05410 - [B0865789]
Informing the Public about Nutrition: Federal Agencies Should Do
Better. CED-78-75; B-164031(3). larch 22, 1978. 32 pp. + 6
appendices (49 pp.).
Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General.
Issue Area: Food (1700).
Contact: Community and Economic Development Div.
Budget Function: Health: Health Research and Education (552);
M4ucation, Manpower, and Social Services: Research and
General Education Aids (503).
Organization Concerned: Department of Agriculture; Department of
Health, Education, and Velfare.
Congressional Relevance: House Committee on Agriculture; Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Congress.
Authority: Organic Act of 1862. Research and marketing Act of
1946. P.L. 94-317.
A large share of the Nation's health costs has been
attibuted to hunger and poor eating habits. A primary cause of
poor nutrition is lack of consumer knowledge about the proper
selection and preparation of food. Host of the Federal
Government's nutrition information is produced by the
Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health, Education, and
Melfare (HEV), and 12 agencies within these departments
administer the disseainati,n of information developed by at
least 7 Federal departments and commissions.
Findings/Conclusions: Information concerning Federal speiceing
for nutrition iaformation and education is not readily
available, but the Congressional Research Service determine4
that at least $69.3 million vas spent for nutrition educatioA in
fiscal year (F) 2976. Results of a questionnaire indicated
that: agencies in USDA and HEM lacked defined areas of
responsibility--this made it difficult for users to identify
sources of materials on specific topics; use of nutrition
materials authorized by other agencies was limited; printed
materials accounted for 84% of materials disseminated, although
there was no assurance that this was the most effective method
of dissemination; few materials developed by the Federal
Government were formally evaluated; only 5 of 352 publications
identified had a total distribution of over I miIlion copies in
F! 1975 and 1976; and most agencies lacked information on the
cost tc develop materials for dissemination. Recommendations:
The Secretaries of USDA and HEW should: designate a central
authority to serve as a continuing review board in the future
developsept of nutrition information mate:Lals; establish an
intradepartmental task force uhich would assess
nutrition-related material developed by each Department; and
establish ,,n interdepartmey. :al task force to consider such
matters a', coordination betteen Departments to avoid duplication
and insure coverage of nece isary areas# the sat cost-effective](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaawxj0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)