The International Conferences on Dietary Assessment Methods

Methods (ICDAM) was sure to be a success from the outset, even though the original organisers may have had some trepidation when taking their first planning steps. The first steering committee chaired by Marilyn Buzzard brought together an international group of nutrition scientists who had been instrumental in developing dietary methods and applying them to studies on nutrition and health. Having been part of a dietary assessment laboratory at the University of Minnesota, Dr Buzzard knew that there was science and art involved in collecting and analysing dietary data. However, this information had not been the focus of a public scientific forum even though dietary methods are the foundation for studies on the relation between diet and health. The rational for these conferences was clearly stated by Dr Buzzard in the proceedings of the first conference1. They were: (1) the need for improved dietary assessment methods to enhance our understanding of diet–health relationships; (2) the need for improved dietary assess-ment methods to facilitate the development and monitor-ing of nutrition-related health objectives; and (3) the importance of international participation in the confer-ence. After months of planning, the first conference got off the ground and was hosted by the University of Minnesota, in St. Paul, MN, USA, on 20–23 September 1992. The conference plans developed and the first conference objectives were established, and they have been consistent throughout the first decade of meetings. This was also the conference where the onion became the official logo and symbol for the conference. The onion, shaped like the world, was chosen as a symbol that would join the need for improving dietary methods with improving the nutritional status of individuals around the world. The proceedings from the first ICDAM were

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