American Society for Nutrition

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is the principal United States society for professional researchers and practitioners in the field of nutrition. ASN members, loctaed in 76 countries around the globe, are the leaders in nutrition science, clinical practice, education, and policy. ASN publishes the Nutrition Science Collection, and annually convenes the greatest minds and future leaders in nutrition to network, share information and discuss how to continue to advance global public health.

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. At the time the founders were all well known scientists engaged in writing textbooks and articles and doing research that would help to define nutrition as a newly emerging discipline. 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.[1]

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). Today it is the most well-known academic organization in the field of nutrition research. 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.[1]

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

Mission

ASN publishes its Mission Statement at its web site:

Mission: To develop and extend knowledge of nutrition of all species through fundamental, multidisciplinary, and clinical research; facilitate contact among investigators in nutrition, medicine and related fields of interest; support the dissemination and application of nutrition science to improve public health and clinical practice worldwide; promote graduate education and training of physicians in nutrition; provide reliable nutrition information to those who need it, and advocate for nutrition research and its application to development and implementation of policies and practices related to nutrition.[2]

Memberships and sustaining partners

Memberships

Eligibility for membership:

Sustaining Partners

The ASN encourages "food, biosciences and biotechnology, pharmaceutical, feed and agriculture, personal and health care and nutritional products companies" partnerships with the Society. At their web site they state that "Whether your concern is playing a part in the nutrition community, advancing your product development or monitoring market risks and opportunities, ASN offers you what you need to meet your organizational goals."

ASN uses the term "Sustaining Partners" for their corporate sponsors. 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.[4]

Nutrition Science Collection

ASN publishes four academic journals. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was first published in 1952. With a 2016 impact factor of 6.926, it is one of the most highly rated peer-reviewed research journals in the nutrition and dietetics category. [5] In publication since 2010, Advances in Nutrition's 2016 impact factor of 5.233 places it seventh among all journals in the nutrition and dietetics category. ASN has published the first specific journal in the subject, The Journal of Nutrition, since 1928.[6] The Journal of Nutrition’s 2016 impact factor was 4.145, placing it in the top 10% of all journals indexed by Thomson Reuters. In 2017, ASN launched a new open-access journal, Current Developments in Nutrition. Current Developments in Nutrition strives for quick peer review, accelerated dissemination, and adds many new areas of content to the portfolio offered by ASN journals.

Corporate relationship concerns

Long-time member Marion Nestle has voiced concerns about what she sees as a "too-cozy relationship with food company sponsors" within the organization.[7]

In a 2015 report, Michele Simon also voiced concerns regarding corporate involvement with the society.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Nutrition Society Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary". Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Mission and ByLaws". The American Society for Nutritional Sciences. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "Mission and ByLaws". The American Society for Nutritional Sciences. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  4. ↑ "Corporate Members". The American Society for Nutrition. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.nutrition.org/publications/the-american-journal-of-clinical-nutrition/
  6. ↑ http://www.nutrition.org/publications/the-journal-of-nutrition/
  7. ↑ Nestle, Marion (23 June 2015). "The food industry’s undue influence on the American Society for Nutrition". Marion Nestle. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Simon, Michele (September 2015). "Nutrition Scientists on the Take from Big Food" (PDF). EatDrink Politics. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
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