This paper is one in a series from the American Society of Nutritional Sciences Long Range Planning Committee, in which we are attempting to map out the implications of future directions in nutritional sciences for ASNS. Here, we address the area of social nutrition research and identify a series of orientations that are now emerging and likely to shape future research in this area. As with other areas of nutrition, a key feature is the importance of an integrated approach, both across social science disciplines and between social and biological scientists.