The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Founded as the American Dietetic Association in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1917, a group of women collaborated to aid the government conserve food and improve the public's health and nutrition during World War I. After 95 years, the association changed its name in January 2012 to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — complementing the focus of the organization to improve nutritional well-being, communicating the expertise of its members who are a part of a food- and science-based profession.