2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The purpose of this agreement is to collect information of food intake, design nutrition studies, prepare protocols for human studies, and conduct dietary and lifestyle interventions. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): ARS will collect information of food intake, design nutrition studies, prepare protocols for human studies, and conduct dietary and lifestyle interventions. This information will be used by both parties to jointly develop new information on the role of diet and risk for chronic disease. The Cooperator will provide dietetic, food service, and scientific support for these studies. 3.Progress Report: This agreement combines the expertise of ARS in conducting nutrition studies with those of the University of Maryland in conducting clinical interventions to investigate diet and health. Several new research protocols are planned. Intervention studies are critical to all of the research projects conducted in the Laboratory, and this agreement provides the support to conduct these studies in a timely manner. Moreover, as the population becomes more overweight and less healthy, through this cooperation, the Laboratory will have access to a more diverse population for recruitment of new studies.