Births on January 20

Nevin Scrimshaw, American scientist (d. 2013)

Nevin Stewart Scrimshaw: A Visionary Leader in Global Nutrition and Food Science

Nevin Stewart Scrimshaw (January 20, 1918 – February 8, 2013) was an extraordinarily influential American food scientist and an esteemed Institute Professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This distinguished title, reserved for a very select group of MIT faculty members, recognizes those who have made profound and sustained contributions to their fields and to the institution. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Scrimshaw dedicated his extensive and remarkable career to tackling some of the most critical global health challenges through innovative approaches to human nutrition.

Transforming Lives Through Nutritional Intervention

Throughout his long and impactful career, Dr. Scrimshaw pioneered the development of crucial nutritional supplements and interventions designed to alleviate widespread dietary deficiencies, especially prevalent in the developing world. His work was pivotal in addressing conditions that affected millions globally.

Combatting Major Nutritional Deficiencies

• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM): Scrimshaw was a foremost expert on protein deficiency, which manifests in severe forms such as kwashiorkor and marasmus, particularly devastating for children. He was instrumental in shaping the understanding of the "protein gap" in the mid-20th century, emphasizing the urgent need for adequate protein intake to support growth and health. A notable practical outcome of his research was the development of "Incaparina," a cost-effective, high-protein food blend formulated at the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP). This innovation provided a vital dietary supplement for children in regions with limited access to protein sources.
• Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD): Recognizing that iodine deficiency leads to debilitating conditions like goiter and severe intellectual disabilities, including cretinism, Scrimshaw became a tireless advocate for universal salt iodization. His persistent efforts and scientific backing played a significant role in making salt fortification with iodine a global public health strategy, dramatically reducing the incidence of IDD worldwide.
• Iron Deficiency Anemia: He also dedicated significant research to iron deficiency, a widespread condition causing anemia, chronic fatigue, and impaired cognitive and physical development, especially affecting women and children. His work contributed to comprehensive strategies for iron fortification in foods and dietary interventions to improve iron status in vulnerable populations.

A Legacy of Institutional Building and Groundbreaking Scholarship

Dr. Scrimshaw's commitment to advancing nutritional science extended beyond direct research to establishing foundational institutions and producing an immense body of scholarly work. His vision led to the creation or significant strengthening of several key organizations:

• Department of Nutrition and Food Science at MIT: He founded this critical department, establishing MIT as a world-leading center for interdisciplinary research and education in human nutrition and food technology. This department continues to be at the forefront of addressing complex food and health issues.
• Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP): As a co-founder of INCAP in 1949, Scrimshaw helped build a globally recognized institution dedicated to nutrition research, training, and public health interventions across Latin America. INCAP's work has profoundly influenced regional and international dietary guidelines, food fortification programs, and nutritional surveillance.
• Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation (NSINF): Bearing his name, this foundation perpetuates his legacy by supporting global nutrition science, education, and policy. NSINF continues to foster research, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination, with a focus on improving nutrition and health outcomes in low and middle-income countries.

His intellectual output was equally prolific, comprising over 20 books and monographs, alongside hundreds of peer-reviewed scholarly articles. These publications laid essential groundwork in human nutrition, public health, and nutritional epidemiology, shaping the understanding and practice of global nutrition for generations.

Distinguished Accolades and Enduring Global Impact

Nevin Scrimshaw's extraordinary contributions to science and humanity were recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Bolton L. Corson Medal (1976): Awarded by the Franklin Institute, this medal acknowledged his significant scientific achievements and their practical applications in improving human welfare.
• World Food Prize (1991): Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture," this highly esteemed award honored Scrimshaw's decades of pioneering research and tireless advocacy that dramatically reduced hunger and improved health worldwide. The prize specifically recognized his pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies to combat protein-energy malnutrition and other critical micronutrient deficiencies.

Nevin Scrimshaw spent the final years of his life on a farm in Thornton, New Hampshire, where he passed away peacefully at the age of 95. His profound legacy is not only found in his scientific discoveries and the institutions he meticulously built but also in the countless lives saved and improved through better nutrition, and the continued global efforts inspired by his unwavering dedication to human well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nevin Scrimshaw

Who was Nevin Stewart Scrimshaw?

Nevin Stewart Scrimshaw was a renowned American food scientist and Institute Professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He dedicated his career to global public health, specifically by addressing nutritional deficiencies.

What were Nevin Scrimshaw's main contributions to human nutrition?

His primary contributions involved developing and implementing strategies to combat protein, iodine, and iron deficiencies worldwide. This included advocating for universal salt iodization, developing protein-rich food blends like Incaparina, and furthering understanding of malnutrition.

Which organizations did Nevin Scrimshaw help establish or lead?

He founded the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at MIT, was a co-founder of the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), and established the Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation (NSINF).

What prestigious awards did Nevin Scrimshaw receive?

Nevin Scrimshaw was awarded the Bolton L. Corson Medal in 1976 and the highly distinguished World Food Prize in 1991, recognizing his immense impact on global food security and health.