Recorded presentation

Maya T. Edmonds, MPH, RD, N. Chapman Associates, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1120, Washington, DC 20036, 202-659-1858, maya@nchapman.com

How do national nutrition monitoring data affect public health nutrition policy and practice? National nutrition monitoring data from the integrated National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) has played an enormous role in shaping current public health policies and provides opportunities to build strong nutrition intervention programs. Many federal food fortification policies, nutrition assistance programs, and initiatives aimed at reducing overweight and obesity rely on national nutrition monitoring data to form their basis.

One of the unique aspects of the NHANES/CSFII survey is that the population is specifically selected to represent the US population. Study participants of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds undergo extensive nutritional, physical, biochemical, and psychological evaluations. The wealth of information collected by the survey can be used to examine correlations between numerous variables that are invaluable in understanding many of the most pressing health issues facing the nation.

The NHANES/CSFII survey is one of the most valuable tools available for informing and justifying local interventions as well as national public health programs. During this session, participants will learn about current operation of integrated NHANES/CSFII, and gain insight into innovative research uses of the data to explore trends in diet quality, health disparities, child growth patterns, and food security. The enormous impact of NHANES/CSFII on federal policy and program planning in areas ranging from food assistance programs to disease prevention initiatives will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the types of data collected by the integrated NHANES survey including anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional assessments
• Identify recent research that has relied on nutrition monitoring data to examine the health effects of various eating patterns as well as trends related to economic determinants of food choice
• List current nutrition policies and programs that have been shaped by national nutrition monitoring data
• Analyze ways that national nutrition monitoring data can be used in shaping local nutrition initiatives

Keywords: Nutrition, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Affiliated with the Alliance for Nutrition Monitoring

Recorded presentation