The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) is the principal United States society for professional researchers and practitioners in the field of nutrition. ASN publishes three of the leading journals in the field of nutrition.
Contents
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.
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.
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.
It is ASN's policy to encourage corporate involvement in their decision making through its "Sustaining Partner Roundtable." The roundtable Mission Statement is published at their web site:
Mission: To provide visibility within ASN to matters of interest to industry by exchanging ideas and providing corporate financial support for the society's activities in education/training; scientific programs and professional outreach.
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.
Journals
ASN publishes three academic journals. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was first published in 1952. With a 2013 impact factor of 6.918, it is one of the most highly rated peer-reviewed research journal in the nutrition and dietetics category. ASN’s newest journal, Advances in Nutrition, received a very competitive first-time impact factor for 2012: 3.245. This ranks 20th in the Nutrition & Dietetics category and places it in the top 16% of the 8,411 journals indexed by Thomson Reuters. ASN has published the first specific journal in the subject, The Journal of Nutrition, since 1928. The Journal of Nutrition’s impact factor increased to 4.196 in 2012, placing it in the top 10% of all journals indexed and fourth among primary research journals in the Nutrition & Dietetics category.
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.
In a 2015 report, Michele Simon also voiced concerns regarding corporate involvement with the society.