The Nation's Nutrition Author:Eileen T. Kennedy, DSc, and Richard J. Deckelbaum, MD This book brings together the scientific evidence base that underlies the nutrition policies and programs in the United States. Edited by Dr. Eileen Kennedy of Tufts University and Dr. Richard Deckelbaum of Columbia University, this volume links current understanding of diet and nutrition to newer paradigms for enhancing health. Understanding th... more »e most effective ways to link science to public policy is critical for researchers, academics, physicians and other clinicians, as well as organizers of nutrition programs, international organizations involved in nutrition, and the growing number of public and private organizations involved in nutrition activities.
The editors state in their overview: "The world has changed dramatically over the past 100 years, and this includes the world of nutrition. The US Department of Agriculture published its first dietary advice in 1894. At that time, some vitamins and minerals had not even been discovered yet. In the early part of the 20th century, the focus of nutrition was on discovering the essential vitamins and minerals. Specific micronutrient-disease functions were elucidated. However, the emphasis in nutrition began to shift during and after World War II from nutrient discovery to a focus on healthy eating patterns and to more of an emphasis on application, interventions, and public policy. The Nation's Nutrition examines nutrition and its past, present, and future challenges. The history of nutrition in the United States, and indeed globally, provides insights into changes that have occurred and, more importantly, what caused these changes."« less