American Society for Nutrition Calls for Strengthened Nutrition Research Support in Response to MAHA Strategy

ASN urges investments in federal capacity to advance nutrition research and evidence-based policy

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) recognizes that the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy identifies nutrition research as essential to addressing the nation's diet-related chronic disease crisis. While the Strategy highlights important areas of inquiries, including Food for Health, dietary patterns and metabolic health, dietary exposures, oral health, cognitive development, chronic disease prevention across life stages, food ingredients, sleep and nutrition, insulin resistance, dietary supplements, and physical fitness, it lacks the resources necessary to achieve its stated goals.

ASN stresses that rigorous, high-quality nutrition research, led by the National Institutes of Health Office of Nutrition Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, must be adequately funded to inform evidence-based actions and policies. Without sustainable and predictable federal investment, the nation cannot realize the breakthroughs needed to improve health outcomes and reduce the economic burden of diet-related diseases. ASN is particularly concerned that the President's proposed budget suggests major funding cuts for many of these same agencies, further jeopardizing the possibility of implementing the Strategy's recommendations. Congress must ensure steady, sustainable increases in funding for nutrition research to advance. Adequate support that accounts for inflation is necessary to make progress on these priority research areas.

ASN also emphasizes that the greatest return on federal investment in nutrition research occurs when the resulting evidence is translated into practice. ASN urges the administration to use rigorous, high-quality nutrition research to guide the development of public policies and initiatives. The federal agencies responsible for nutrition policies must have the expertise and resources to design and implement effective, evidence-based policies and programs. A strong coordinating mechanism, such as the Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research, should be utilized to maximize the impact of federal nutrition research efforts. Finally, ASN urges the administration to provide detailed, evidence-based strategies that outline how it plans to achieve the goals described in the MAHA Strategy. Clear, actionable plans are essential to ensure that the Strategy's recommendations translate into meaningful improvements in America's health.

About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)

ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the Society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance our knowledge and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice, and education. Since 2018, ASN has presented NUTRITION, the leading global annual meeting for nutrition professionals. For more information, visit www.nutrition.org.

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Media Contacts: Sarah Ohlhorst
ASN Chief Science Policy Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 240-428-3647

SOURCE American Society for Nutrition (ASN)