Abstract
For 30 years, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort study has examined the etiology and progression of atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic diseases. This research has evaluated variation in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in relation to age, race, gender, location and lifestyle factors, including diet. In this commentary, we describe ARIC research that illustrates an expanded view of the relationship between diet and health and suggest ways that future cohort studies may influence the direction of nutrition and dietetics practice.