Value-aware nutrition science: building credibility through reflexivity

Purpose: Values can influence various aspects of scientific research, including research questions, methodologies, interpretations, and applications of scientific knowledge. Instead of pursuing value-free science, the scientific community recognizes the importance of value-aware science, which acknowledges the role of values in scientific inquiry but emphasizes transparency and accountability. Conflicts of interest statements often focus only on financial ties. Methods: We argue for the inclusion of positionality statements in nutrition science, similar to practices in the social sciences and humanities. Positionality statements highlight the influence of the researcher’s position, background, and values on scientific inquiry, promoting transparency, reflexivity, and dialogue within the scientific community. We advocate for a shift towards a perspectival epistemology that recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and contributes to a more robust and reliable scientific knowledge. Results: We include case studies demonstrating different styles of positionality statements and addresses potential critiques of positionality, including concerns about subjectivity and equating individuals with their social identities. Conclusion: Overall, we conclude that embracing value-awareness and positionality can lead to a more credible and socially engaged nutrition science.