Nutrition Research Task Force
Fostering greater collaborative efforts to build the strongest nutrition evidence base possible.
Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science
This report was authored by the task force and published in Advances in Nutrition in July 2022. The report provides an overview of the current types, purposes, strengths, and limitations of the primary methodologies used in nutrition research.
Read the ReportThe report discusses inherent challenges that exist when conducting nutrition research and the many considerations researchers must account for in nutrition studies such as:
- research designs
- analytical and behavioral methods
- statistical power and analyses,
- population characteristics and generalizability
- suitable positive and negative controls with consideration given to issues unique to approaches ranging from molecular to population-based inquiries
A secondary goal of this Task Force Report is to help the public, media, and nutrition professionals better understand how to interpret and apply nutrition research.
Scope of Work
ASN convened a Task Force to author a report that provides an overview of the current types, purposes, strengths, and limitations of the primary methodologies used in nutrition research. Further, it describes the role of each type of evidence in setting clinical practice guidelines, dietary recommendations, nutrition programs and interventions, and policy. The report discusses inherent challenges that exist when conducting nutrition research and the many considerations researchers must account for in nutrition studies such as research designs, analytical and behavioral methods, statistical power and analyses, population characteristics and generalizability, as well as suitable positive and negative controls with consideration given to issues unique to approaches ranging from molecular to population-based inquiries. The goal of this Task Force Report is to help the public, media, and nutrition professionals better understand how to interpret and apply nutrition research. It is further hoped that this effort will foster greater collaborative efforts to build the strongest nutrition evidence base possible.
Task Force Roster
Co-Chairs
Richard (Rick) Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD
Purdue University College of Health & Human Sciences
Sylvia B. Rowe
SR Strategy
Members
Leonard (Len) H. Epstein, PhD
University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Andrew Brown, PhD
Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health
Edith Feskens, PhD
Wageningen University & Research Division of Human Nutrition & Health
Naomi K. Fukagawa, MD, PhD
U.S. Dept of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
Michael Kelley, PhD, RD
University of Illinois, Chicago College of Dentistry
Steven H. Zeisel, MD, PhD
University of North Carolina Nutrition Research Institute
DeAnn Liska, PhD
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Jaapna Dhillon, PhD
University of Missouri, Columbia, School of Medicine
Alison Brown, PhD
National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Roger A. Sunde, PhD
University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Katherine (Katy) L. Tucker, PhD
University of Massachusetts, Lowell Dept of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences
Lynnette M. Neufeld, PhD
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
Daniel J. Hoffman, PhD
Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Timeline of Events
July 2022
Report titled “Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science” published in Advances in Nutrition.
Editorial published in The Journal of Nutrition, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and Current Developments in Nutrition.
December 2021
Report approved by ASN Board of Directors
January 2021
Writing begins
December 2020
October 2020
September 2020
Task Force planning calls
August 2020
Introductory call with Task Force chair to lay out action plan
July 2020
Task Force is in place and Chair is identified.
June 2020
Fifteen ASN members are invited to serve on Task Force.
May 2020
ASN Board of Directors finalizes and approves charge to Task Force. A Call for ASN members to serve on the Task Force is initiated.