The rise and fall of dietetics and of nutrition science, 4000 BCE-2000 CE.
OBJECTIVE
To outline the history of dietetics since its beginnings in recorded history, and of nutrition science in its first phase beginning in the mid-nineteenth century and then its second phase in the second half of the twentieth century.


METHODS
Three narrative overviews: of dietetics from its beginnings until after the end of the medieval and then Renaissance periods in Europe; of nutrition science in its first phase from its beginnings in the mid-nineteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, with reasons for its rise; and of nutrition science in its second phase in the second half of the twentieth century, with reasons for its decline.


CONCLUSIONS
In its third phase in the twenty-first century, the new nutrition science should regain much of the vision and scope of its preceding disciplines.
Cannon
Geoffrey
G
World Health Policy Forum, Juiz de Fora, Brazil. geoffreycannon@aol.com
D004046:Dietetics / Q000266:history*; D005523:Food Supply / Q000266:history; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena