The National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program: progress and activities.

The National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 outlined a number of requirements for nutrition monitoring and research relevant to nutrition monitoring needs of today and tomorrow. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) along with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are charged with carrying out the requirements. The Act legally established the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program and numerous activities including development and implementation of a Ten-Year Comprehensive Plan and formation of the Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research. Both requirements serve as the basis for planning and coordinating the activities of 22 Federal agencies that either conduct nutrition monitoring surveys and surveillance activities or are major users of nutrition monitoring data. As an advisory mechanism to both USDA and HHS, the law required establishment of a 9-member National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council. Progress and future activity plans for the Nutrition Monitoring Program are discussed.