Hazel Stiebeling

Hazel Katherine Stiebeling (1896–1989) was an American nutritionist who pioneered the development of USDA programs for nutrition including USDA Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals. Stiebeling made important contributions to the understanding of diet composition, nutritional value of foods, dietary guidelines, and the idea and development of dietary standards. Among her recommendations were drinking more milk, eating fresh fruit and green vegetables. She also helped to develop plans for disaster relief in the South during the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Living on a farm is believed to have developed her interest in food and nutrition. She began to study domestic science in high school. Stiebeling received a Bachelor's degree in Science from Columbia University in 1919,

Stiebeling then became a research fellow under Henry Sherman at the Graduate School of Columbia University.

At the Bureau, Stiebeling began an extensive long-term investigation of the nutritional value of diets in the United States. This work led to publication of the Recommended Dietary Allowances by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences in 1943. One quarter of those drafted under the Selective Service Act of 1940 were found to be malnourished and unfit. Eisenhower commended her for "her lasting contributions to the science of human nutrition and through this to the health of the American people." Stiebeling was the first woman to receive the award.

Hazel Stiebeling died on May 18, 1989, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Legacy and Impact

Selected Publications

National Agricultural Library (USDA). "The Last Chief." Aprons & Kitchen: The Bureau of Home Economics Exhibit. National Agricultural Library. National Agricultural Library (USDA). Hazel Katherine Stiebeling Papers. Special Collections, USDA. Stiebling, Hazel Katherine; Munsell, Hazel E. (1932). Food supply and pellagra incidence in 73 South Carolina farm families. Washington, D.C.: United States Government.

Awards 1943, Borden Award for research in nutrition, American Home Economics Association 1952, Distinguished Service Award, USDA 1959, President's award for Distinguished Federal Service 1964, Distinguished Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition (DFASN) 1972, honored as one of 50 distinguished alumni of Skidmore College