Two Tufts experts will be among the 15 scientists working to update the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans, scheduled for release in 2015. Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Stanley N. Gershoff Professor at the Friedman School and director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, was named vice chair of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Shell be joined on the committee by Miriam Nelson, PhD, professor at the Friedman School. (Both Lichtenstein and Nelson are also on the editorial advisory board of the Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter.) Barbara Millen, DrPH, of Boston University will chair the group.
Updated every five years, the guidelines are based on a review of the latest scientific evidence; they form the foundation of all federal nutrition activities. The committee, which held its first meeting in June, is expected to issue a report in late 2014 to the US Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services, which issue the final guidelines.