American Society for Nutrition

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is an American society for professional researchers and practitioners in the field of nutrition. ASN publishes four journals in the field of nutrition.[1] It has been criticized for its financial ties to the food and beverage industry.[2][3]

American Society for Nutrition
AbbreviationASN
Merger ofAmerican Society for Nutritional Sciences, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Society for International Nutrition
HeadquartersRockville, MD
CEO
John E. Courtney, PhD
Websitehttp://www.nutrition.org

History

In 1928 a group of United States biochemists and physiologists grouped together to form the first scientific society focused on nutrition, the American Institute for Nutrition. The Society held its first meeting at the Cornell Medical School in 1934. The society was renamed the American Society for Nutritional Sciences in 1996.[4]

In 2005, the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, the American Society for Clinical Nutrition (established 1961); and the Society for International Nutrition (established 1996) merged to form The American Society for Nutrition (ASN).

ASN currently (2015) has a membership of about 5,000. It is one of the constituent societies comprising the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, a non-profit organization that is the principal umbrella organization of U.S. societies in the field of biological and medical research.[4]

In October 2010, the American College of Nutrition and American Society for Nutrition proposed to merge.[2]

"Smart Choices" program

The ASN administered the "Smart Choices" food labelling program,[5] which was suspended in 2009 after criticism.[6]

Publications

ASN owns four academic journals, and occasionally uses them to self-publish content independent of the journal's editorial review process.[7] Some of the journals' editorial staff accept funding from food industry organizations.[2][3] As of 2018, the ASN-run journals are printed by the Oxford University Press.[8]

Journal titleYear of founding2018 impact factor
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition19526.568
Advances in Nutrition20107.24
The Journal of Nutrition19284.416
Current Developments in Nutrition2017Expected 2020

In 2017 the ASN launched Current Developments in Nutrition as an open-access journal aiming for rapid publication and a broader range of topics than the ASN's other journals.[7] It publishes sponsored supplements, but these are reviewed by the journal.[9]

Memberships and sustaining partners

Membership

Eligibility for membership:

  • Regular Members - Any individual with a doctoral-level degree and suitable scholarly achievements, as determined by the Board of Directors
  • Associate Members - Any individual with a doctoral-level degree, or relevant professional accomplishments, as determined by the Board of Directors
  • Student Members - Any individual who is a candidate for an undergraduate, graduate, or medical degree
  • Emeritus Members - Any member age 65 years or older may apply to the Board of Directors for Emeritus Membership
  • Young Professional / Postdoctoral Members - Any individual within three years of receiving a doctorate, medical degree, or other degree in nutrition or a related field[10]

Sponsors

ASN uses the term "Sustaining Partners" for corporate sponsors donating over $10,000 per year.[11] According to their website:

Industry companies with the highest level of commitment to the nutrition profession are recognized as Sustaining Partners of the American Society for Nutrition. Engage with ASN as a Sustaining Partner today, and benefit from a number of advantages! Recognition includes print and online exposure, annual meeting benefits, and the ability to sponsor educational opportunities, grants and other items. However, you will derive the greatest benefit by aligning your company with ASN's superlative scientific reputation.[12]

The American Society for Nutrition's sustaining partners, as listed on its website as of March 2018, are:[13] Abbott Nutrition, Almond Board of California, Bayer HealthCare, Biofortis Clinical Research, California Walnut Commission, Cargill, Inc., Corn Refiners Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Dairy Research Institute, DSM Nutritional Products (LLC), DuPont Nutrition & Health,[14] the Egg Nutrition Center of the American Egg Board,[15] General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, Herbalife/Herbalife Nutrition Institute, International Bottled Water Foundation, Kellogg Company, Kyowa Hakko USA Inc., Mars Inc., McCormick Science Institute,[16] Mondelez International Technical Center, Monsanto Company, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (a contractor to "The Beef Checkoff"), Nestlé Nutrition, Medical Affairs, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Inc., Pharmavite (LLC), Tate & Lyle, The a2 Milk Company, The Coca-Cola Company, The Dannon Company Inc., The Sugar Association, and Unilever.

Corporate relationship concerns

The ASN has conflicting interests in taking funding from food industry marketing groups while providing unbiassed information on nutrition; these conflicting interests have caused criticism and concerns of bias.[17][18] ASN actions have also been criticized for being better-aligned with the nutritional advice of sponsors than the advice of the World Health Organization and other public health, public interest, and government organizations.[19][11]

Long-time member Marion Nestle has voiced concerns about what she sees as a "too-cozy relationship with food company sponsors" within the organization.[20] In a 2015 report, Michele Simon also voiced concerns regarding corporate involvement with the society.[2][21]

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References
  1. https://nutrition.org/publications/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Simon, Michele (September 2015). "Nutrition Scientists on the Take from Big Food" (PDF). EatDrink Politics. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. Eng, Monica. "Should Coke sponsor nutrition research?". WBEZ. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  4. "The Nutrition Society Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary". Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  5. MacVean, Mary (2009-09-29). "'Smart Choice' food label: a sign of nutrition or marketing?". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035.
  6. Neuman, William (2009-10-23). "'Smart Choices' Food Labeling Loses Support". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  7. "About the journal". Current Developments in Nutrition. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  8. "American Society for Nutrition Journals | Oxford Academic". OUP Academic.
  9. "CDN Supplements". American Society for Nutrition. 9 February 2018.
  10. "Mission and ByLaws". The American Society for Nutritional Sciences. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  11. Mustain, Patrick; Mustain, Patrick (June 15, 2015). "Science for Sale: Big Food's Influence on Top Nutrition Research Org". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  12. "Corporate Members". The American Society for Nutrition. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  13. https://nutrition.org/sustaining-partners/
  14. apparently this DuPont, miscapitalized on the website: http://www.dupont.com/corporate-functions/our-company/businesses/nutrition-and-health.html
  15. https://eggnutritioncenter.org/about/
  16. http://mccormickscienceinstitute.com/
  17. O’Connor, Anahad (2015-08-09). "Coca-Cola Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets". Well. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  18. Rucker, Robert B.; Rucker, Michael R. (November 2016). "Nutrition: ethical issues and challenges". Nutrition Research. 36 (11): 1183–1192. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2016.10.006. ISSN 0271-5317. PMID 27955723.
  19. Bellatti, Andy (2015-06-24). "OPINION: Industry-funded nutrition groups shouldn't dictate health policy". Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  20. Nestle, Marion (23 June 2015). "The food industry's undue influence on the American Society for Nutrition". Marion Nestle. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  21. "Leading U.S. Nutrition Scientists Forge Cozy Relationships With Major Food Companies and Lobbying Groups, Report Charges". International Business Times. 2015-06-15. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
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