We have an exciting issue to begin 2020, helping look back on our industry, and also passing the torch to the next generation.

A special section of this issue features an update of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Multistate Research Project (MSRP) on Aging, first appearing in Topics in Clinical Nutrition 15 years ago. The 4 articles in this issue provide an overview of the intervening years. Certainly, the project remains dynamic, involving a multitude of ideas and plans, multidisciplinary researchers and extension specialists, and various national locales that are funded partially by USDA through state agricultural experiment stations. Working together each year, team members refine their plans based on prior findings, pilot test results, and study new data in the health, aging, and nutrition literature. The model allows more interdisciplinary collaborations to target intricate problems.

The first 15 years of the northeast multistate project focused on accurate measurement of nutritional risk and assessment techniques for use with older adults. The recent 15 years, 2004-2019, examine nutrition risk assessment and effective interventions for older adults in rural and urban settings. Besides a project review, 3 articles highlight the experiences and outcomes of individual projects directed by a lead agricultural station site.

Qianzhi Jiang and Nancy Cohen, at the University of Massachusetts, designed and coordinated a major collective project with 4 other sites. They held online focus groups on environmental factors affecting healthy older adults in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The environmental survey was key to finding out what helped older adults find and choose healthy foods, based on accessibility, availability, social supports, transportation, and living conditions.

A team at the University of Maryland (Vaudin, Simon, and Sahyoun) reported on the development of an Expanded Food Security Screener (FSS-Exp) for assisting older adults on state waiting lists for home-delivered meals. Based on expansion of the USDA Food Security Survey, the multiyear project has been pilot-tested with additional questions on economics, shopping, and cooking parameters. Future research will examine how well the questions on the FSS-Exp work in other areas.

An article on lessons learned when recruiting and retaining elderly volunteers for research projects was reported by Buys et al. Investigators from 3 different geographical locations, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, reported on their experiences to find participants willing to join a research study. They suggested various strategies that helped them overcome problems and complete their projects. Their recommendations are as follows: recruit widely, communicate clear expectations, and find support from community leaders and other health and nutrition professionals.

Jones et al conducted a retrospective study with 100 nursing home patients. They compared scores on the Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) tool of 50 individuals with pressure ulcers and 50 without pressure ulcers. Using the MNA, they found a significant difference in the scores of those with and without pressure ulcers. They concluded that the MNA is helpful for preventing and alleviating the presence of pressure ulcers in nursing home patients.

Richards and Specker looked at total work hours, sleep, and stress in relation to 162 adults in a weight loss program. One hundred sixty-two adults reported increased emotional eating due to stress, gender, working more than 40 hours each week, and lack of sleep. Lower levels of emotional eating were associated with obtaining the recommended amount of physical activity and may result in better weight management.

An article by Barr et al addressed the impact of healthy eating classes on the eating behavior of college students. Three cooking classes were offered to students that highlighted simple, healthy recipes and included nutrition education and food safety tips. With the use of a pre/posttest survey, students reported that nutrition knowledge and cooking ability had improved.

Gordon et al did an extensive narrative review of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for polycystic ovary syndrome. With the publication of evidence-based guidelines by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, they examined lifestyle factors affecting the condition for adolescents and young adults 24 years and younger. Finding that registered dietitian nutritionists use the MNT recommendations, they provided additional guidance for nutrition clinicians who assess, counsel, and monitor adolescents.

Thanks to all of you for your contributions to Topics in Clinical Nutrition over these past 35 years. We appreciate your attention to detail in writing, revising, and reviewing manuscripts, sharing your experiences in clinical practice and the larger community, and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics. We welcome a new editorial team with the second issue of the year, to be led by Kelly Kane, MS, RD, LDN, CNCS, Tufts Medical Center. We will be letting you know more about the new team in the coming months. They will continue a legacy largely improved by our contributors.

-Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RDN, FAND

Editor

-Elizabeth M. Young, MA

Managing Editor