American Institute Of Nutrition Research Articles

Perspective: Key Considerations When Developing and Publishing Dietary Interventions for Human Clinical Trials

A key guiding principle in the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes the need for individuals to choose eating habits that allows for personal, cultural, and traditional preferences while establishing a high-quality diet. This concept becomes a daunting task given the need to reduce the consumption of foods higher in saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugar—which are typically found in familiar, highly palatable foods most-often liked and consumed in the United States. Similarly, in nutrition intervention studies, adherence to healthier dietary patterns is typically low because of many factors, including reduced taste, flavor, and familiarity to the study foods. Increasing evidence illustrates the promising role of herbs and spices to maintain acceptability of healthier food options for nutrition interventions. This perspective article was informed by a Satellite Session presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, Nutrition 2023, entitled, “Developing Culturally Appropriate Recipes for Human Clinical Trials,” which explored several proposed best practice guidelines when developing nutrition interventions to improve dietary adherence and acceptability within clinical trials. The session also highlighted a need to include sufficient detail concerning the types and amounts of specific foods included within nutrition interventions in combination with preparation methods and study recipes, including herbs and spices, to improve intervention reproducibility and translatability for future research, dietary guidelines, and clinical practice.

Opportunities for Consistent and Holistic Metrics to Support Food Systems Transformation: A Summary of a Symposium Presented at Nutrition 2023

There is an urgent need for global food systems transformation to realize a future where planetary health reaches its full potential. Paramount to this vision is the ability of stakeholders across sectors to understand how foods and dietary patterns impact food systems inclusive of all domains of sustainability—environmental, nutrition/health, economic and social. This article is a synopsis of presentations by 3 food systems experts to share the latest science in a session entitled “How do you measure sustainability? Opportunities for consistent and holistic metrics to support food systems transformation” at the American Society for Nutrition’s 2023 annual conference. As summarized here, global population data showing widespread malnutrition underscore the important role of dietary diversity through a balance of plant- and animal-source foods to achieve nutritionally adequate diets and reduce risk of noncommunicable diseases. Yet, recent international audits of countries, companies, and organizations and their sustainability targets largely demonstrate an underrepresentation of robust nutrition/health metrics to support public nutrition and health progress. Addressing limitations in diet-sustainability modeling systems provides a viable opportunity to accurately reflect the important contributions and trade-offs of diets across all domains of sustainability to ultimately support evidence-based decision making in advancing healthy food systems.

Prejudice in US Academia drives unethical behaviour with global consequences

In 2015, a 2012 paper concerning human research conducted in China in 2008 was retracted1 . This article briefly recounts events over a four-year period and challenges the justification for retraction based on the Commitee on Publication Ethics principles. Retraction represents the most severe criticism of a scientific article. This research focuses on analysing contemporary (2012–2015) documentary evidence, organised by key narrative participants: Greenpeace, the Chinese Government, Tutis University, the American Society for Nutrition, the US National Institutes of Health2 and the US Office for Human Research Protections. The analysis indicates that technological bias within a university and a learned society, which is also a publisher, led to unethical behaviour and the subsequent retraction. In the USA, oversight of an Institutional Review Board falls under the Office for Human Research Protections. Despite being the principal funder, the NIH's reliance on this office for the retracted paper's research to be publicly available, suggests ineffective oversight. The retracted paper detailed a crucial nutritional study relevant to combating vitamin A deficiency, a significant cause of child mortality and blindness in Low- and Middle-Income countries. The retraction likely heightened suspicion around this vital public health intervention.

P09-008-23 A Landscape Analysis of Key Topics Published in the American Society for Nutrition's Journals and Information on Government Websites

P09-008-23 A Landscape Analysis of Key Topics Published in the American Society for Nutrition's Journals and Information on Government Websites

Methods in Nutrition & Gut Microbiome Research: An American Society for Nutrition Satellite Session [13 October 2022

The microbial cells colonizing the human body form an ecosystem that is integral to the regulation and maintenance of human health. Elucidation of specific associations between the human microbiome and health outcomes is facilitating the development of microbiome-targeted recommendations and treatments (e.g., fecal microbiota transplant; pre-, pro-, and post-biotics) to help prevent and treat disease. However, the potential of such recommendations and treatments to improve human health has yet to be fully realized. Technological advances have led to the development and proliferation of a wide range of tools and methods to collect, store, sequence, and analyze microbiome samples. However, differences in methodology at each step in these analytic processes can lead to variability in results due to the unique biases and limitations of each component. This technical variability hampers the detection and validation of associations with small to medium effect sizes. Therefore, the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) Nutritional Microbiology Group Engaging Members (GEM), sponsored by the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS), hosted a satellite session on methods in nutrition and gut microbiome research to review currently available methods for microbiome research, best practices, as well as tools and standards to aid in comparability of methods and results. This manuscript summarizes the topics and research discussed at the session. Consideration of the guidelines and principles reviewed in this session will increase the accuracy, precision, and comparability of microbiome research and ultimately the understanding of the associations between the human microbiome and health.

The American Institute of Nutrition

The American Institute of Nutrition

HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF DIETARY FIBER FEEDS MADE FROM DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF MILLET ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS


 
 
 The ground samples of Pearl millet, Finger millet, Foxtail millet and Proso millet were evaluated biochemically and following nutrients were determined i.e. moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber, lignin and cellulose. The fiber feeds were prepared with some necessary alterations to the Basic Purified Diet 93-G for rats, recommended by American Institute of Nutrition (AIN). The rats (n=36) were divided equally into 6 groups. There were two control groups of rats comprising of normal rats and Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats which were fed on fed on Basic Purified Diet AIN-93-G, while the 4 other groups were fed on Dietary Fiber Feeds (DFF) prepared with different types of millet. All of these groups were monitored for random blood glucose (mg/dl) for a six-week time period.It was found that both Pearl Millet and Finger Millet had a significant effect on the lowering the random blood glucose (RBS) level in experimental animals. However, Finger Millet proved to have a significantly (p<0.05) greater effect on lowering RBS than Pearl Millet.
 
 

Maltose consumption exacerbates high-fat diet-induced overweight and related parameters in mice

Background: Maltose is a disaccharide formed from two units of glucose. The amount of maltose in raw sweet potatoes reportedly increased by more than 40-fold after baking. We aimed to investigate the effects of maltose consumption on diet-induced obesity using a mouse model.Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three dietary groups: a control diet of American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93 (CD), an AIN-93-based 30% high-fat diet (HFD), or an HFD diet containing 7.0% maltose (HFD+Mal). After 13 weeks, body mass index, blood glucose, lipid parameters, including total cholesterol and triglyceride, and hepatic fatty acid content were evaluated. Results: After 6 weeks on the special diet, weight gain was significantly higher in the HFD+Mal group than in the HFD group. The body mass index rose steadily and was significantly higher in the HFD+Mal group (5.03 ± 0.22), compared to the CD (3.32 ± 0.30) and HFD (4.57 ± 0.40) groups at 12 weeks. The relative liver weight per weight was also significantly higher in the HFD+Mal group than in the other two groups. The increases in blood glucose levels were more significant in the HFD+Mal group compared to the HFD group, as were the plasma levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. In the liver, levels of the following fatty acids increased in both the HFD and HFD+Mal groups relative to those in the CD group: C14:0 (myristic acid), C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:0 (stearic acid), C18:1 (oleic acid), C18:2 (linoleic acid) and C18:3 (α-linolenic acid). Additionally, the C16:0 content in the HFD+Mal group was significantly higher than that in the HFD group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that daily consumption of maltose exacerbated the development of obesity and related parameters, including body mass index and plasma cholesterol levels, under the high-fat diet consumption. It is possible that the consumption of maltose-rich cooked sweet potatoes, as part of an overall HFD, might exacerbate HFD-induced overweight.Keywords: high-fat diet-induced obesity, maltose, mice, roasting, sweet potato

Addition of Soluble Fiber in Low-Fat Purified Diets Maintains Cecal and Colonic Morphology, Modulates Bacterial Populations and Predicted Functions, and Improves Glucose Tolerance Compared with Traditional AIN Diets in Male Mice

ABSTRACTBackgroundPurified diets (PDs) contain refined ingredients with one main nutrient, allowing for greater control relative to grain-based diets (GBDs), which contain unrefined grains and animal byproducts. Traditional PDs like the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-76A (76A) and AIN-93G (93G) can negatively impact metabolic and gut health when fed long term, in part due to lower total fiber, no soluble fiber, and higher sucrose content.ObjectiveTwo studies were conducted to determine how PDs with reduced sucrose and increased fiber (soluble and insoluble) influence metabolic and gut health in mice compared with traditional AIN PDs or GBDs.MethodsIn study 1, C57Bl/6N mice (n = 75) consumed a GBD [LabDiet 5002 (5002)], 76A, 93G, or 2 PDs with reduced sucrose and higher fiber for 88 d. Body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed. In study 2, C57Bl/6N mice (n = 54) consumed either 2 GBDs (LabDiet 5001 or 5002) or PDs with different types/levels of fiber for 14 d. Microbiome alterations and predicted functional metagenomic changes were measured.ResultsThe PD with 75 g cellulose and 25 g inulin per 4084 kcals marginally influenced body weight and adiposity, but improved glucose tolerance relative to 93G (P = 0.0131) and 76A (P = 0.0014). Cecal and colonic weights were lower in mice fed cellulose-based PDs compared with those fed GBDs and soluble-fiber PDs. Soluble-fiber PDs reduced alpha diversity and showed similar beta diversity, which differed from cellulose-based PDs and GBDs. Certain genera associated with improved gut health such as Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia were significantly elevated by soluble-fiber PDs (P ≤ 0.01). Metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism were affected by PDs.ConclusionsPDs formulated with lower sucrose and increased fiber content, particularly soluble fiber, blunted elevations in metabolic parameters and favorably impacted the microbiota and metagenome in C57BL/6N mice.

Blood erythrocyte indices in rats under conditions of acetaminophen-induced toxic injury against the background of alimentary protein deficiency

Despite the available information on variations in the erythrocyte chain of homeostasis under the conditions of drug-induced toxic damage, the question of the biochemical characteristics of erythrocytes in the expose of toxic doses of paracetamol on the background of dietary imbalance in protein remains open. 96 white nonlinear rats were used for the study. During the experiment, the animals consumed a semi-synthetic diet AIN-93 in accordance with the recommendations of the American Institute of Nutrition on the principle of paired nutrition, taking into account the amount of dietary protein per kilogram of diet. Modelling of acute toxic lesions was performed by administration to experimental animals of acetaminophen per os at a rate of 1250 mg/kg body weight. We found that toxic damage by acetaminophen is a key factor in reducing the level of total hemoglobin in the blood of animals (40% compared to control) with a simultaneous decrease in its average concentration (18%) and content in a single erythrocyte (35%), indicating the development of hypochromia, which is an indicator of iron deficiency in the body (iron deficiency anaemia). The synergistic effect of nutritional protein deficiency and the exposition of toxic doses of acetaminophen is accompanied by a decrease in total erythrocytes (50% compared to control) due to their increased hemolysis (up to 32% in 0.9% NaCl) with a simultaneous decrease in hematocrit up to 16% and the average volume of erythrocytes (1.4 times compared with the control). At the same time, the established changes in oxyhemoglobin decrease against the background of increased fetal hemoglobin content under the conditions of toxic damage and alimentary protein deficiency may serve as an additional criterion for comprehensive assessment in the diagnosis of anaemic syndrome in inflammatory diseases of different genesis against nutrient-associated conditions. Thus, the study of changes in erythrocyte indices in the development of acetaminophen-induced lesions on the background of nutrients’ alimentary deprivation can increase the effectiveness of monitoring the course of these pathologies and approaches to their correction.

Somatotypological parameters of the body in men and women with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity

Annotation. Comprehensive analysis of clinical and anthropometric predictors allows to fully and accurately objectify the long-term prognosis of patients with generalized fatty form of seborrheic dermatitis. Therefore, it is planned to supplement the existing data by studying the features of the components of the somatotype and indicators of the component composition of body weight in this category of patients. The purpose of the study is to establish and analyze the characteristics of somatotype components and indicators of the component composition of body weight in men and women with generalized fatty seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity. In 40 Ukrainian men and 40 Ukrainian women (25-44 years according to the age periodization of the WHO, 2015) patients with generalized fatty seborrheic dermatitis (hereinafter seborrheic dermatitis) identified components of the somatotype according to the Heath-Carter scheme and the absolute amount of fat, bone and muscle components of body weight according to the formulas of Matiegka J. and the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN). As a control, similar indicators were taken from practically healthy Ukrainian men (n=82) and women (n=154) from the data bank of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University Research Center, Vinnytsya. Statistical analysis of the results was performed in the license package "Statistica 6.0" using non-parametric evaluation methods. Studies in patients with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity compared to practically healthy men have shown higher values of the muscle component of body weight according to the methods of Matiegka and AIN, as well as lower values of fat component of body weight. In patients of varying severity of women compared to practically healthy women, found higher values of mesomorphic component of somatotype, muscle component of body weight by Matiegka and AIN, bone component of body weight (severe only), and lower values of fat component of body weight (only with a slight degree). There are no significant or tendency differences between the components of somatotype and the indicators of the component composition of body weight between men or women with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity. In the analysis of the manifestations of sexual dimorphism of the studied body parameters between men and women with seborrheic dermatitis, higher values were found in men (regardless of the severity of the disease) of the muscle component of body weight by Matiegka and AIN and bone component of body weight. Thus, among the parameters associated with an unfavorable prognosis of this dermatosis are the muscle component of body weight according to Matiegka and AIN, fat component of body weight (in both sexes) and mesomorphic and ectomorphic components of somatotype (in women).

Implementation of a Family Support Grant to Subsidize Caregiving Needs and Support Attendance at American Society for Nutrition’s Annual Professional Scientific Conference

ABSTRACTAttendance at professional society meetings facilitates networking, collaboration, and success in academic/scientific fields. Insufficient funds, support, or resources for caregiving can inhibit attendance for parents/caretakers, who may become professionally disadvantaged by not attending professional society conferences. The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) offered a family support grant for caregiving needs during the annual conference (maximum: $750); however, the perceived impact of caregiving funds on attendance outcomes is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the need of family support for attendance to the ASN annual conference among applicants and to assess recipients’ experience and usage of funds. Applicants completed a pre-conference survey assessing requested funds, out-of-pocket caregiving expenses to attend the meeting, the influence of receiving the grant on attendance, and additional factors. Recipients completed a post-conference survey assessing use of the funds and impact of the grant on attending/participating. Grant applications (n = 110) were majority women, aged 26–45 y, married, at the trainee or assistant professor level, from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, and with parenting noted as the primary responsibility. Thirty-seven percent of applicants were currently lactating or expressing milk. The average amount requested was $650 US dollars, and >60% of respondents indicated plans to use funds to bring a family member/friend to the conference. Seventy-seven percent of respondents indicated that receiving the grant would influence their attendance. The post-conference survey (n = 25) indicated that recipients felt that receiving the grant was helpful in attending the conference (92%), specifically attending scientific sessions (96%) and poster sessions (80%). Recipients indicated the grant helped them network with attendees (88%), visit the exhibitor hall (72%), and participate in career development activities (64%). The ASN family support grant aided attendance and supported recipients’ participation in conference activities, particularly early-career women who are parents, with the goal of supporting diversity and inclusivity in scientific/academic fields. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03432585.

Body Composition Measures Associated With Postprandial Triglyceride Concentrations

ObjectivesA large increase in triglyceride (TG) concentrations following a high-fat meal (i.e., postprandial lipemia) is an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor. However, little is known regarding individual factors that are associated with or determine postprandial triglycerides. We aimed to identify body composition measures that are associated with postprandial triglyceride concentrations following a high-fat meal. MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data from 5 previously conducted studies in our laboratory, each utilizing identical methods. Postprandial TG were measured at baseline and 4 hours after a high-fat shake (73% fat; 9 kcal/kg). In addition to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), body composition variables – relative body fat (BF%), relative muscle mass (MM%), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) – were measured via bioelectrical impedance. ResultsAcross 5 studies, complete data from 156 participants (age: 44.9 ± 21.0 years; sex: 83F/73M; BMI: 27.3 ± 5.5 kg/m2; fasting glucose: 98.6 ± 7.8 mg/dL; fasting TG: 94.6 ± 45.3 mg/dL; fasting total cholesterol: 170.8 ± 34.5 mg/dL) were compiled for this secondary analysis. Postprandial TG were correlated with age (r = 0.24, p = 0.003) but no difference between sexes was observed (p = 0.06). Significantly associated with 4-hr TG were BMI (r = 0.29, p < 0.0001), WC (r = 0.33, p < 0.0001), BF% (r = 0.23, p = 0.004), MM% (r = 0.23, p = 0.004), and VAT (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001). In a backward elimination regression (R2 = 0.15), the variables most predictive of 4-hr TG were MM% (β = 0.21, p = 0.009), VAT (β = 0.25, p = 0.004), and BF% (β = 0.16, p = 0.064). ConclusionsIn a secondary analysis of 156 participants across 5 studies, we identified MM%, VAT, and BF% as being the most predictive of 4-hr TG. Although the strength of the relationship may be weak to moderate, body composition appears to influence postprandial triglycerides. Further research could determine preventative measures regarding body composition to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with postprandial triglycerides. Funding SourcesOklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (HR20-027), American Society for Nutrition, Donna Cadwalader Research and Development Grant, Oklahoma State University Office of the Vice President for Research.

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Extract Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Acute Experimental Colitis by Improving Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Compositions in Mice

Drugs for inflammatory bowel diseases can be associated with serious side effects, and the development of alternative candidate resources derived from natural products has attracted considerable attention. Oyster extract (OE) derived from Crassostrea gigas contains glycogen, taurine, and amino acids, and has been assigned diverse health-promoting properties. This study investigated the anti-colitis effect of OE intake on fecal microbiota and its metabolites of acute experimental colitis mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). C57BL/6J mice (male) were divided into three groups: (1) American Institute of Nutrition (AIN) 93G diet + DSS-untreated, (2) AIN93G diet + DSS-treated, and (3) 5% OE diet + DSS-treated. Mice were fed each diet for 21 days, and then administered 2.5% DSS solution to induce acute colitis for 7 days. In DSS-induced colitis mice, OE decreased body weight loss and increased disease activity index during the DSS-induced period. In addition, OE tended to decrease the colon length shortening and the relative spleen weight and alleviated colonic tissue damage. Moreover, OE improved fecal short-chain fatty acids compositions and altered the structure of fecal microbiota. These results provide insight into the health-promoting property of OE in alleviating DSS-induced acute colitis, providing a basis for the development and use of functional foods.

Apiaceous vegetables protect against acrolein-induced pulmonary injuries through modulating hepatic detoxification and inflammation in C57BL/6 male mice

Acrolein (Acr) is a reactive aldehyde in the environment. Acr causes oxidative stress and a cascade of catalytic events and has, thereby, been associated with increased risk of pulmonary diseases. Whether apiaceous vegetables (API) consumption can prevent Acr-induced pulmonary toxicity has not yet been explored hence, we investigated the effects of API on Acr-induced pulmonary damages in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were assigned into either negative control [NEG group; American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G diet only], positive control (POS group; AIN-93G+Acr) or API intervention group (API group; AIN-93G+21% API+Acr). After 1 week of dietary intervention, the POS and API mice were exposed to Acr (10 µmol/kg body weight/day) for 5 days. During the exposure period, assigned diets remained the same. Prominent indicators lung of toxicity of POS mice were found, including mucus accumulation, macrophage infiltration, and hemorrhage, all of which were ameliorated by the API. Serum and lung inflammation markers, such as a tumor necrosis factor alpha were also increased by Acr while reduced by API. In the liver, API upregulated expression of glutathione S-transferases, which enhanced the metabolism of Acr into water-soluble 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid for excretion. This is consistent with observed reductions in serum Acr-protein adducts. Taken together, our results suggest that API may provide protection against Acr-induced pulmonary damages and inflammation via enhancement of the hepatic detoxification of Acr.

Dietary Alaska Pollock Protein Attenuates the Experimental Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium via Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites in Mice.

Protein derived from fish has not only nutritional properties but also health-promoting properties. Few studies have examined the effect of dietary Alaska pollock protein (APP) on the anticolitis effect reported to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study investigated the effect of APP intake on colitis symptoms, gut microbiota, and its metabolites in the experimental colitis mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: (1) DSS-untreated mice fed an American Institute of Nutrition (AIN) 93G diet (protein source is casein), (2) DSS-treated mice fed an AIN93G diet, and (3) DSS-treated mice fed an APP diet. After the mice were fed the diets for 21 days, experimental colitis was induced by three cycles of 2% DSS administration for 5 days followed by washouts over the course of 5 days. APP-reduced body weight loss increased the disease activity index, and elevated spleen weight and alleviated colon length shortening and colonic tissue damage. Furthermore, APP altered the structure and composition of the microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in feces. Since APP intake alleviates experimental colitis induced by DSS administration through alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites, we deduced that APP would inhibit MetS progression via colitis suppression.

Racial and ethnic representation among a sample of nutrition- and obesity-focused professional organizations in the United States

Obesity is a chronic disease that disproportionately affects individuals from nonmajority racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Research shows that individuals from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds consider it important to have access to providers from diverse backgrounds. Health care providers and scientists from minority racial/ethnic groups are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to treat or conduct research on patients from underrepresented groups. To characterize the racial/ethnic diversity of nutrition- and obesity-focused professional organizations in the United States. This study assessed race/ethnicity data from several obesity-focused national organizations including The Obesity Society, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the American Society for Nutrition, and the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). Each organization was queried via emailed survey to provide data on racial/ethnic representation among their membership in the past 5 y and among elected presidents from 2010 to 2020. Two of the 3 professional societies queried did not systematically track race/ethnicity data at the time of query. Limited tracking data available from AND show underrepresentation of black (2.6%), Asian (3.9%), Latinx (3.1%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: (1.3%), or indigenous (American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.3%) individuals compared with the US population. Underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities was also reported for ABOM diplomates (black: 6.0%, Latinx: 5.0%, Native American: 0.2%). Only AND reported having racial/ethnic diversity (20%) among the organization's presidents within the previous decade (2010-2020). Findings suggest that 1) standardized tracking of race and ethnicity data is needed to fully assess diversity, equity, and inclusion, and 2) work is needed to increase the diversity of membership and leadership at the presidential level within obesity- and nutrition-focused professional organizations. A diverse cadre of obesity- and nutrition-focused health care professionals is needed to further improve nutrition-related health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and undernutrition, in this country.

Award-Winning Online Learning From the American Society for Nutrition

Award-Winning Online Learning From the American Society for Nutrition

Racial and ethnic representation among a sample of nutrition- and obesity-focused professional organizations in the United States.

Obesity is a chronic disease that disproportionately affects individuals from nonmajority racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Research shows that individuals from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds consider it important to have access to providers from diverse backgrounds. Health care providers and scientists from minority racial/ethnic groups are more likely than their non-Hispanic White counterparts to treat or conduct research on patients from underrepresented groups. The objective of this study was to characterize the racial/ethnic diversity of nutrition- and obesity-focused professional organizations in the United States. This study assessed race/ethnicity data from several obesity-focused national organizations including The Obesity Society, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the American Society for Nutrition, and the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). Each organization was queried via emailed survey to provide data on racial/ethnic representation among their membership in the past 5 years and among elected presidents from 2010 to 2020. Two of the three professional societies queried did not systematically track race/ethnicity data at the time of query. Limited tracking data available from AND show underrepresentation of Black (2.6%), Asian (3.9%), Latinx (3.1%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (1.3%), or indigenous (American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.3%) individuals compared with the US population. Underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities was also reported for ABOM diplomates (Black: 6.0%, Latinx: 5.0%, Native American: 0.2%). Only AND reported having racial/ethnic diversity (20%) among the organization's presidents within the previous decade (2010-2020). Findings suggest that (1) standardized tracking of race and ethnicity data is needed to fully assess diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (2) work is needed to increase the diversity of membership and leadership at the presidential level within obesity- and nutrition-focused professional organizations. A diverse cadre of obesity- and nutrition-focused health care professionals is needed to further improve nutrition-related health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and undernutrition, in this country.

Exploring the Links between Diet and Inflammation: Dairy Foods as Case Studies

ABSTRACTSystemic chronic inflammation may be a contributing factor to many noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. With the rapid rise of these conditions, identifying the causes of and treatment for chronic inflammation is an important research priority, especially with regard to modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. An emerging body of evidence indicates that consuming certain foods, including dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, may be linked to a decreased risk for inflammation. To discuss both broader research on diet and inflammation as well as research on links between individual foods and inflammation, the National Dairy Council sponsored a satellite session entitled “Exploring the Links between Diet and Inflammation: Dairy Foods as Case Studies” at the American Society for Nutrition's 2020 LIVE ONLINE Conference. This article, a review based on the topics discussed during that session, explores the links between diet and inflammation, focusing most closely on the relations between intake of dairy fat and dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, and biomarkers of inflammation from clinical trials. While there is currently insufficient evidence to prove an “anti-inflammatory” effect of dairy foods, the substantial body of clinical research discussed in this review indicates that dairy foods do not increase concentrations of biomarkers of chronic systemic inflammation.