Analysis of Results: This goal is the focus of much of ARS• research related to human nutrition and health. Under Goal III, 7 Indicators are aligned under 3 Performance Goals. Because of the unique and dynamic nature of research, several Indicators were added to the Report that did not first appear in the Annual Performance Plan for FY 2000. This was done to ensure that significant accomplishments that were not anticipated last year were reported. While it is not possible to report research accomplishments numerically, the progress projected in all 7 Indicators were completed or substantially completed during FY 2000.

OBJECTIVE 3.1: Nutritious food: "Maintain an adequate and nutritious ... supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements."

STRATEGY 3.1.1: Human nutrition requirements: Determine requirements for nutrients and other food components of children, pregnant and lactating women, adults, and elderly of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

During FY 2000, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Research on rats showed that 25-50 percent of chemically induced breast cancer can be prevented by soy protein isolate, which is used in virtually all the soy-based infant formula in the U.S.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: A human feeding study was not conducted since Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was delayed.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A number of projects were completed that address these topics.

Elementary children and junior high school children who were undernourished at a younger age had slower reaction (decision) times and differences in neurophysiology of specific brain areas.

-Determined that body size and behavioral traits play a role in the ability of women to accurately self-report energy intake.

-Found that obesity may not be a protective factor against bone loss for obese women because it is thought that obese individuals are at less risk of developing osteoporosis due to increased weight load on the skeleton.

-Demonstrated that boron has a role in the earliest stages of bone formation in mammals; data suggests that boron may be important in embryo development in humans and supports the concept that boron is an essential nutrient for humans.

-Found the first evidence that zinc status is predictive of mood disturbances and behavior problems in school-aged children.

-Showed that vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with cognitive and behavioral impairment in children, which is also seen in the elderly.

-A study conducted to determine whether gains in bone mineral density induced by calcium and vitamin D supplementation persisted after supplementation was discontinued in elderly men and women showed that the benefits were lost over 2 years after 3 years of supplementation.

-Postmenopausal women require dietary intakes of vitamin K in amounts that exceed the current recommended intakes to restore function of vitamin K in bone.

-Demonstrated that there are differences in parameters that measure cognitive function between cultivated- or wild blueberry-supplemented rats.

-Established contemporary reference standards for body composition for European-, African-, and Mexican-American children; these data serve as the standards for defining obesity in children.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: Findings from these studies add to the body of knowledge on the role that nutrition has

in maintaining and improving health. Many of these findings result in scientific recommendations which may

lead to changes in dietary recommendations and nutrition policy which affect food assistance programs.

STRATEGY 3.1.2: Food composition and consumption: Develop techniques for determining food composition, maintain national food composition databases, monitor the food and nutrient consumption of the U.S. population, and develop and transfer effective nutrition intervention strategies.

During FY 2000, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The new method using a multiple-pass method was tested in a national random digit dial sample.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: Both quantitative and qualitative data from the study demonstrated that the new multiple-pass method was an effective way to collect a complete 24-hour dietary recall by telephone.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Leadership of HHS and USDA have identified a more comprehensive integration of these two surveys as a major priority. Staff members have been engaged in intensive discussions and have arrived at a basic approach. The process of integration has involved input from users of the data.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: Proven and now fully-automated methods of data collection will be used, the needs of customers and stakeholders will continue to be met, and data will be released in a timely fashion. Some issues still remain which are being addressed.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Food extraction systems were developed which permit quantitative removal of all classes of flavonoids from foods.

IMPACT/OUTCOME: These extraction systems, coupled with the HPLC system which was developed last year, will greatly increase the speed and decrease the cost of generating data on the flavonoid content of foods. These data will be incorporated in the U.S. National Nutrient Databank.

STRATEGY 3.1.3: Nutritious plant and animal products: Develop more nutritious plant and animal products for human consumption.

During FY 2000, ARS will

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Demonstrated that carotenoids can be intrinsically labeled with carbon 13 in food (kale).

IMPACT/OUTCOME: The label can be detected in human plasma.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In a greenhouse study, 16 genotypes of Brassicas (broccoli) were screened for their ability to accumulate selenium from treated growth media. Results indicate that there is significant genetic potential within the Brassica genomes to select for species that accumulate more selenium in their edible portions.

IMPACTS/OUTCOME: Work is continuing on a project to increase the density of iron and zinc in edible portions of five staple food crops comprising maize, rice, wheat, beans and cassava.