Alan Berg

Life and work

The story behind the role.

International nutrition authority.

Alan D. Berg (born February 18, 1932) is an American former civil servant and nutritionist. He is recognized as an international development authority, most notable for his advocacy and large-scale implementation of programs to address malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women. His work spans over half a century and has garnered him wide recognition for instigating a new policy approach to international nutrition assistance. Berg's contributions to the field of nutrition have had a significant impact on the way development agencies and governments approach the issue of malnutrition as a fundamental component of economic growth. His methods and approach, particularly during 23-year tenure as the senior nutrition officer at the World Bank from 1972 to 1995, have been widely adopted by other organizations and countries. Additionally, Berg's work has led to an increased focus on nutrition policy, planning, and implementation in academic training programs for nutritionists, creating new opportunities for graduates in this field. In 1997, a survey of the international nutrition community found that Berg was the most-cited role model for newcomers to the field. His contributions to the field were further acknowledged in 2008, when he was honored by the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition as one of the first recipients of the United Nations Achievement Award for Lifelong Service to Nutrition, with the committee describing him as a "global giant in nutrition history".

Encyclopaedic excerpts from Alan Berg (nutritionist); shortened for length and available under CC BY-SA 4.0.