[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72899-72900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30963]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; Agency Information 
Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request--Generic 
Clearance for Nutrition Education Messages and Materials for the 
General Public

AGENCY: Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on a proposed information collection. This notice announces the Center 
for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's intention to request the Office of 
Management and Budget approval of the information collection 
instruments to be used during consumer research. The instruments are 
designed to identify consumers' understanding of potential nutrition 
education messages and their reaction to prototype sections of 
nutrition education materials, including Internet-based materials. The 
information collected will be used to refine messages and materials to 
improve usefulness and consumer understanding.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before 
February 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Carole 
Davis, Nutrition Promotion Staff Director, Center for Nutrition Policy 
and Promotion, U.S. Department of

[[Page 72900]]

Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1034, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Carole Davis, 703-305-7600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Nutrition Education Messages and Materials for the General 
Public.
    OMB Number: To be assigned.
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued jointly by 
the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, are 
the cornerstone of Federal nutrition policy and form the basis for 
nutrition education efforts of these agencies. The U.S. Department of 
Agriculture develops and promotes nutrition education materials to help 
consumers understand and use the Dietary Guidelines. The Center for 
Nutrition Policy and Promotion is responsible for publication of the 
bulletin containing the text of the Dietary Guidelines; it also 
develops additional materials to help consumers understand and use the 
Guidelines. The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the 
United States has made it even more important to communicate clear and 
useful nutrition education information related to the Guidelines on 
food choices, weight, and physical activity. In addition, the Center 
for Nutrition Policy and Promotion provides food-based guidance for the 
general public through the Food Guide Pyramid. The Pyramid is an 
educational tool designed to help consumers implement the Guidelines 
and eat a nutritious diet. The Food Guide Pyramid is undergoing a 
broad-based reassessment, and development of updated materials is 
planned to help communicate Pyramid messages and recommendations.
    Educational messages and materials in support of the Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans and Food Guide Pyramid, including those 
targeted to preventing obesity, will be developed by the Center for 
Nutrition Policy and Promotion. These will include:
    1. The 2005 editions of the bulletin Nutrition and Your Health: 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the brochure Using the Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans;
    2. An updated Food Guide Pyramid graphical representation, poster, 
and supportive educational materials;
    3. Nutrition education and Internet-based materials to help combat 
overweight and obesity in America. The initial phase of this campaign 
will target women 20 to 40 years old, with a special emphasis on low-
income women.
    The materials for these initiatives will be tested using 
qualitative consumer research techniques, which may include focus 
groups, qualitative interviews, and Web-based surveys. Participants in 
the testing will provide information regarding the clarity, 
understandability, and acceptability of the messages and materials 
during the developmental process and during the final product 
development stage.
    Affected Public: Adult Consumers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 850.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours for focus groups and 
qualitative interviews, .25 hours for Web-based surveys.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1175 hours.

 
Dietary Guidelines materials.......................................       200             2           400 hrs.
Food Guide Pyramid materials.......................................       200             2           400 hrs.
Portion awareness messages.........................................       100             2           200 hrs.
Portion awareness materials........................................       300              .25         75 hrs.
Portion awareness interactive......................................        50             2           100 hrs.
                                                                    ---------------               --------------
      Total........................................................       850       .............    1175 hrs.
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    Dated: November 27, 2002.
Steven Christensen,
Acting Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
[FR Doc. 02-30963 Filed 12-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P