Conclusions
This white paper identified many stark and growing national challenges related to nutrition. Our research further documented a diversity of federal investments in nutrition research across departments and agencies, but with flat or declining funding and with suboptimal coordination authority. The opportunities to be gained by greater coordination and investment in federal nutrition research are clear, with potential for large and rapid ROI. This white paper identified and described 2 priority strategies, including 1) a new authority for cross-governmental coordination and 2) strengthened authority, investment, and coordination within NIH. Additional important strategies were also identified at USDA. All these strategies were found to be complementary, providing independent as well as synergistic benefits. The identified specific options would help create the new leadership, strategic planning, coordination, and investment the nation requires to address the multiple nutrition-related challenges before us, and grasp the corresponding opportunities.