The Journal of Nutrition

The Journal of Nutrition. It is a premier peer-reviewed scientific publication dedicated to advancing the field of nutritional science through the dissemination of original research. Owned and published by the American Society for Nutrition, it covers a broad spectrum of topics from molecular mechanisms to human clinical studies. The journal serves as a critical resource for researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals globally.

History and scope

The publication originated in 1928 as *The Journal of Home Economics* under the American Home Economics Association. Its focus shifted significantly in 1942 when it was renamed *The Journal of the American Dietetic Association*, aligning with the professional interests of the American Dietetic Association. The journal assumed its current title in 1929 for its nutrition-focused content, prior to the dietetics name change, and has been published by the American Institute of Nutrition, a precursor to the American Society for Nutrition, for the majority of its history. Its scope encompasses all aspects of nutrition, including nutrient metabolism, diet and disease relationships, nutritional genomics, and lifecycle nutrition from pregnancy to aging. The journal has consistently published foundational work that bridges basic science and applied human health, reflecting the evolution of the discipline from a focus on deficiency diseases to the complexities of chronic disease and personalized nutrition.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is comprehensively abstracted and indexed in all major scientific databases, ensuring global discoverability of its research. It is included in services such as PubMed, MEDLINE, the Science Citation Index Expanded, and Scopus. Its contents are also tracked by Chemical Abstracts Service and BIOSIS Previews. This extensive coverage places it within the core literature of both biomedical research and agricultural science. The inclusion in the Web of Science and its derived metrics, such as the Journal Impact Factor, are central to its recognition in academic circles. Furthermore, its archives are preserved in digital repositories like JSTOR, providing access to its historical scientific record.

Editorial processes

The editorial operations are overseen by an Editor-in-Chief, currently Sharon M. Donovan of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, supported by a team of Associate Editors and a distinguished international Editorial Board. Manuscripts undergo a rigorous single-anonymized peer review process managed through the Oxford Academic platform. The journal adheres to strict ethical publishing standards as outlined by organizations like the Committee on Publication Ethics and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. It offers authors options for open access publication under a hybrid model, with certain articles available immediately under a Creative Commons license. Special attention is given to statistical review and the reporting of studies involving human subjects or animal models, in compliance with guidelines from the National Institutes of Health.

Impact and recognition

It is consistently ranked among the top journals in the Nutrition & Dietetics category by metrics such as the Clarivate Journal Impact Factor, which was 4.654 for 2022. Its CiteScore and SJR indicators in Scopus also reflect its high influence within the field. The journal's articles are frequently cited in influential reports by the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and various National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Its long publication history and commitment to scientific rigor have made it a trusted source for evidence that informs public policy, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and clinical practice guidelines worldwide.

Notable articles and special issues

Throughout its history, the publication has featured landmark studies that have shaped nutritional science. Early issues contained pivotal research on vitamin discovery and amino acid requirements. Seminal work on the Framingham Heart Study and the Seven Countries Study has been disseminated through its pages. It regularly publishes special thematic issues and supplements, often in conjunction with annual meetings of the American Society for Nutrition or in collaboration with entities like the USDA or the NIH. Notable supplements have focused on topics such as the DASH diet, biofortification, gut microbiota, and global double burden of malnutrition. These collections provide concentrated insights into emerging areas and are frequently cited as authoritative resources.