Summary: The United States has one of the most comprehensive nutrition monitoring programs in the world today. The main goal of nutrition monitoring is to accurately measure and survey the dietary and nutritional status of the U.S. population, as well as the quality, quantity, and safety of the food it eats. Observing trends in the health of the population and linking nutritional intake to health status are important elements of effective monitoring. Data from current monitoring, conducted primarily by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS), serve a multitude of users in government, academia, and private industry. However, several recurring problems have plagued the consistency, quality, and cost of nutrition monitoring during the past two decades. As a result, USDA and HHS have been required to develop and implement a 10-year comprehensive plan for the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program. GAO concludes that (1) a coherent, consistent system or program for nutrition monitoring is not yet in place and (2) although the current 10-year plan reflects some progress in planning for a program, several important aspects of the plan remain incomplete. GAO urges Congress to continue closely monitoring the development of the program to ensure its success.
