From the editor.

This December issue demonstrates the range of scientific reporting that befits the journal, with a strong focus on contemporary food and nutrition issues such as supplements versus foods, and the nature of scientific evidence. The Editorial expands on this topic, taking the title of 'the scientific narrative' to comment on the different ways in which science may be reported in the food and nutrition context.

The leading article refers to original research by Smith et al. on predictors of dietary supplement use by New Zealand adults. This was a report on secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional national survey of 4636 adults (15 years and over) conducted in 1997. Of interest to practitioners in New Zealand was that supplement users tended to be highly educated and female, and they were younger than that found in studies from other nations. Maori and Pacific participants were less likely to use supplements than other population subgroups. Furthermore, a number of core nutrients were consumed at higher levels from foods in people who took supplements compared with those who did not. This latter finding is of interest in considering the food-supplement debate in meeting nutritional requirements. It is also relevant to the following original research paper by Volker and colleagues demonstrating the bio-availability of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) in enriched luncheon meats. LC n-3 PUFA have gained a lot of attention in recent years as scientists expose their role and potential requirements for health, but their supply from food can be limited. Rather than supplements, enriched food products provide a viable alternative source, but scientific evidence of bio-availability, such as that reported here, is required. Here, this evidence was provided by means of a demonstrated increase in LC n-3 PUFA in the plasma and membrane phospholipids of human subjects. There is a whole area of science again on the use of biomarkers as indicators of nutrient intake, but this is a good example of how the methodology may be applied in substantiation research. The study design was experimental and provided a good contrast to the survey methodology of the previous original research article.

Moving from original research to systematic review, the next article by Hanna and colleagues also addresses the topic of supplements, but this time on the border with food. Outlining a clearly defined search strategy and critical review process, the review surmised that, to address acute menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, there was some evidence for potential benefits from the use of red clover, soy, sage and black cohosh, but not other products. This then provided direction for further research to build an acceptable evidence base.

In contrast to systematic reviews, the two viewpoint articles, by Santich and by Burton and Freeman, respectively, state a position up front and then systematically argue the position in the development of the paper. Viewpoint articles can be very productive contributions to the scholarly side of professional journals. An effective viewpoint article draws attention into debate, so that readers can be stimulated into thinking of alternative arguments referenced to the positions put by the affirmative. Santich uses the methodology of the historical account to frame a position on how dietary advice can become constructed in the Australian context. She refers to the concept of 'paradigms' espoused by Kuhn to outline changes over time and draws on a set of social observations to consider the influence of commercial considerations in nutrition research today. The topic of research on food and nutrition is very timely, given the federal government's review processes currently underway, such as the Research Quality Framework, the Development of the National Research Development and Extension Framework, and proposed changes to the National Health and Medical Research Council. Likewise, the Burton and Freeman viewpoint article on marketing the profession sits in the context of increasing opportunities for dietetics, through such developments as Medicare benefits. They take the position that despite potential benefits to patients, the use of professional dietetics services appears stagnant. They refer to a marketing framework to systematically show how dietitians could promote their services and thereby contribute to the health of the population. There is a lot to think about in both those articles, and plenty of opportunities for members to respond through viewpoint articles of their own or Letters to the Editor.

The December issue also contains regular features of the journal and represents a strong finish for this year of change and exciting new developments with online publication. Nutrition & Dietetics has implemented the online submission and peer review system, Manuscript Central. Manuscript Central features a comprehensive and streamlined workflow system that will allow the journal to accommodate the increasing number of submissions without compromising the quality and efficiency of the peer review process. Authors can submit their manuscripts from anywhere in the world and have the ability to track progress at every stage. Reviewers can access manuscripts and score online and Editors will have the ability to view the manuscript and reviewer reports online before making decisions. It is also the time to again sincerely welcome our New Zealand colleagues, and to thank the Editorial Board, reviewers, authors and publication support at the Dietitians Association of Australia Office and at Blackwell Publishing for an outstanding effort. Next year will see even greater changes with the publication of the conference abstracts, and hopefully the flow on from that process when authors move to full papers. My best wishes to you all.

Linda C. Tapsell, PhD, FDAA 

Editor