The Future of Nutritional Research in the US Government

Earlier this month, several agencies within the federal government worked together to create the first-ever National Nutrition Research Roadmap. The Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research (ICHNR) released guidelines on the needs of the different agencies involved and will encourage future research to promote health and decrease chronic illnesses associated with obesity and diabetes and heart health.

Created in 1983, the ICHNR was charged with improving the planning, coordination and communication among federal agencies engaged in nutrition research and with facilitating the development and updating of plans for federal research programs to meet current and future domestic and international needs for nutrition. Early in 2013, the ICHNR recognized the need for a written strategic plan to identify critical human nutrition research gaps and opportunities that could be addressed over the next 5-10 years.

Catherine Woteki and Karen DeSalvo are the co-chairs of the ICHNR.

"Nutritional needs differ according to a number of factors, including an individual's age, their health status and their level of physical activity," said Woteki, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics. "Those needs can be tailored according to personal preferences, enabling each person to choose the foods that are right for them. The priorities outlined in the Roadmap will help us identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities that can help consumers make healthy choices."

DeSalvo is the acting assistant secretary for health for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"Healthy eating is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce the onset of chronic diseases related to nutrition, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes," DeSalvo said. "By focusing, in part, on developing a better understanding of the gaps in the evidence for healthier eating, the Roadmap will help provide an evidence base for supporting easy, accessible and affordable healthy food choices."

About Department of Defense Interests

In addition to promoting eating patterns for improving health and preventing disease, the DoD is interested in the concept of human performance optimization and how eating patterns and various nutrients contribute to performance and resilience. 

A focus on performance, rather than health, is critical. Most service members are young, which the Defense Department has found means health is a low priority since they tend to view themselves as invincible. At the same time, the DoD has found young service members want to perform at their peak, and a focus on performance is more effective at gaining the interest and cooperation of service members.

The DoD Is Interested in the Following Questions

• What are the nutritional needs and most effective feeding approaches for those engaged in strenuous physical activity under a wide range of environmental exposures -- from very hot to very cold and from hypo- to hyperbaric conditions?
• Would the provision of specific antioxidants or other bioactive ingredients counter the effects of prolonged 100% oxygen exposure of divers?
• Are there any bioactive ingredients that might protect against heat or cold stress?
• Are there particular eating patterns or ingredients that could extend performance by increasing the oxidation of fatty acids as a fuel source?

In regard to performance, DoD researchers are investigating the relationship between nutritional status and military health and readiness across a broad spectrum of the population -- from the very healthy to those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) -- but robust nutritional assessments are not typical in a clinical setting.

Other Questions that Interest DoD

• Do nutrition and eating patterns serve important roles in recovery from military-related health issues (e.g., amputation, PTSD, TBI)?
• Do service members who have undergone a limb amputation have different nutritional needs than an able-bodied person?

In addition, the DoD is always considering how individual differences in nutritional status might impact physical and cognitive performance. Efforts are also underway to understand whether garrison (on-base feeding facilities) and deployment feeding requirements differ from those at home in order to optimize ration components and ensure adequate dietary intakes during deployments.

For example, which diet -- a high-fat or very low-fat diet -- is most effective in promoting healthy physical and cognitive function? Also, does the percentage of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet contribute to readiness and performance or protect against TBI? Do various antioxidants or other bioactive ingredients have a beneficial impact on cognition and performance?

These questions remain to be answered and are of interest to the DoD. Opportunities for collaboration are wide-open. Finally, military dietary reference intakes (MDRIs) are always revised to reflect the current state of science. Researchers within the DoD are interested in forming partnerships to collaborate with sister agencies to address research gaps and opportunities in these areas.

The agencies and departments involved are the following:

• United States Department of Commerce
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
• United States Department of Defense
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Office of Pesticide Programs 
• Federal Trade Commission 
• United States Department of Health and Human Services 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Food and Drug Administration 
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• The National Institutes of Health
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• United States Agency for International Development 
• United States Department of Agriculture 
• Agricultural Research Service
• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion 
• Economic Research Service
• Food and Nutrition Service
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• Veterans Health Administration 

Citation: Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research. National Nutrition Research Roadmap 2016‒2021: Advancing Nutrition Research to Improve and Sustain Health. Washington, D.C.: Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research; 2016.

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United States Department of Health and Human Services, continued

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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