Final answer:
The dietary recommendations for children were not explicitly addressed until the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with the prior guidelines focusing more on adults and specific groups such as pregnant women, older adults, and those with health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dietary recommendations for children were not addressed in the guidelines prior to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines focused on maintaining calorie intake balanced with physical activity majorly for adults, which is essential for weight management. These guidelines emphasized the consumption of healthy, whole foods and the importance of an active lifestyle to promote wellness.
Additionally, the dietary recommendations varied for specific groups like pregnant or breastfeeding women, premenopausal women who may require additional calcium and iron, and older adults. These groups are prone to nutritional deficiencies and were given special consideration in recommendations related to limited dietary components of public health concern.
The progression of U.S. food guidance, which began more than a century ago with formats such as 'the Four Food Groups' and evolved to 'My Plate', reflects the nation's advancing understanding of nutritional needs and health impacts. It's designed to guide individuals in making healthier dietary choices and to inform policy development.