Support Line

For Authors

Submit Manuscript

Author Guidelines

Overview of Support Line

Support Line is the official publication of Dietitians in Nutrition Support (DNS), a Dietetic Practice Group of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (The Academy). Its primary purpose is to publish manuscripts that address current aspects of nutrition support. All published material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission from the editor. Support Line publications are indexed in
CINAHL, a database that focuses on allied health and nursing literature. All manuscripts are subject to anonymous peer-review and are judged on content, originality, scientific accuracy, clarity, and contribution to the field of nutrition support. Submitted manuscripts are accepted at the discretion of the reviewers and the editors. Content of the articles is the responsibility of the author(s). Other professionals may be asked to assist with manuscript preparation, but the primary author is ultimately responsible.

The Support Line Review Board includes: Support Line Editor, Guest Editor (as applicable), and content reviewers.

Editor: Heather Stanner MS, RDN, LD, CNSC; email heather.r.stanner@gmail.com
Managing Editor: Anali North Martin; email: supportline@technicaeditorial.com

Six online issues of Support Line are released each year and published on the first day of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Manuscripts are due six months before the issue publication date. Authors will receive peer-review feedback within two months of submission. The authors then have three weeks to revise and resubmit the article. Most articles only undergo one iteration of peer review; the editor approves the revised article after remaining technical revisions are addressed. Articles with significant issues in content, originality, scientific accuracy, and/or clarity may not be accepted for publication or may undergo multiple iterations of the peer review process and may have to be published in a subsequent issue. Articles not accepted for publication may be forwarded to the DNS Writer’s Mentoring Program. All contributions will be kept on file for use in forthcoming issues if not used immediately (e.g. in the event the copy is submitted late, etc.)

The individual coordinating each of these issues may be the Editor or a Guest Editor. Technica Editorial Services provides support with communication to authors, managing the peer review process, and copyediting each edition. The format and the style in which manuscripts are reproduced for publication are the prerogative of the editors. Articles may be revised for concision by editorial staff or by authors to meet space limitations. The author will be given the opportunity to review an edited copy prior to publication.

Review papers, research papers, and case presentations are acceptable. Each submission will include:
a manuscript file, a curriculum vitae for each author, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Forms (Appendix A) for each author, and a Permission to Reprint Form if applicable (Appendix B). An overview of each component is provided in the subsequent sections.

Manuscript Format

Support Line accepts manuscripts of varying lengths; however, on average, articles should be approximately 6000 words (including tables and figures; not including references). Submitted manuscripts should be typed and double-spaced with 1 to 1½ inch margins. Number each manuscript page consecutively. Subheadings that clarify and organize the information are helpful. Tables, figures, and illustrations are encouraged and should be placed within the Word document at the end of the manuscript (after the references). They should be numbered and cited consecutively in the body of the text. Please note that only Word files will be accepted with the manuscript file designation in Scholastica.

A general guideline for format is as follows:

  1. Title of the manuscript
  2. Abstract providing a brief overview of the paper
    • Abstracts should be understandable without reference to the main text. The abstract should be written in paragraph style and should provide a brief overview of the article and its findings. The last sentence should focus on the findings/application for the dietetics practitioner. The abstract should not exceed 200 words or cite sources/reference numbers.
  3. Introduction
    • The introduction should state the background information and purpose of the article
  4. Body of the manuscript
    • If a Review article:
      • Subheadings to clarify and organize the information
      • Application or Implications to practice
      • Conclusion
    • If a Case Study presentation:
      • Outline of events
      • Discussion of events related back to the published literature
      • Application or Implications to practice
      • Conclusion
    • If a Research article:
      • Description of materials and methods
      • Results
      • Discussion of findings related back to the published literature
      • Conclusion
  5. Additional information for all manuscript types:
    • Avoid use of brand names. Generic names should be used wherever possible to avoid naming a commercial product or firm. If a brand name must be used, use ® or ™ as appropriate and cite the manufacturer’s name and city of the manufacturer’s headquarters in a footnote or parentheses.
    • Numbers: Spell out numbers from one to nine, except for units of measure or statistical material. Always spell out numbers at the beginning of a sentence. Chemical formulas should be written out in the text.
    • Abbreviations: All abbreviations should be written in the text the first time they are used. Use abbreviations when necessary, but generally when used at least three times in the article.
    • Professional organizations, government agencies, non-profit groups, and scientific journals may be named in the text.
    • Clinician tools and patient resources (to include, but not limited to, websites, applications, and written materials) that are available free and open access can be mentioned within the body of the article.
  6. Tables, if applicable
    • Each table should be typed single-spaced and embedded into the manuscript file on a separate page. Tables should be numbered consecutively. Tables should also be sequentially mentioned or called out in the body of the manuscript. The title should follow the table number on the same line and not end with a period. Tables may not contain more than 14 columns.
    • Tables should contain enough detail to be understandable without reading the associated text.
    • Table headings: Type all headings in sentence case structure. If applicable, include the unit of measure.
    • Numbers in Tables: If decimals are used, insert a zero to the left of the decimal point for figures less than 1.0. Use an en dash to indicate ranges, e.g., 75–100. When the designation line at the left (stub) requires two lines, figures in the columns to the right should appear on the second line. Line up figures vertically by decimal points or by hyphens.
    • Footnotes are indicated by letters in alphabetical order.
    • Abbreviations: Spell out abbreviations used in tables or use a footnote to indicate the abbreviation.
  7. Figures and Illustrations, if applicable
    • Figures and illustrations should be embedded into the Word manuscript file on a separate page. Figures and illustrations should be numbered consecutively. Figures and illustrations should also be sequentially mentioned or called out in the body of the manuscript.
    • The original image files must be PowerPoint slides, PDFs, or JPEG files of at least 300 dpi.
    • Figures and illustrations should include a caption below the figure or illustration. The caption should be brief, yet make the illustration intelligible by itself. Each caption should be in sentence case structure and numbered to correspond with the illustration. Each illustration should be mentioned or called out in the body of the manuscript.
  8. References
    • Support Line follows the style of the Journal of Academy and Dietetics for references and citations. For more information visit and search “Journal Style”: https://www.jandonline.org/article/S0002-8223(98)00008-X/fulltext#secd13464175e123
    • Authors should use relevant, current citations from the professional and scientific literature. The author(s) should read all references. Accuracy and adequacy of the references are the responsibility of the author(s). Wherever possible, use of high-quality, evidence-based research is encouraged. Also, whenever possible, primary sources should be used.
    • No matter how well known the book (e.g., Dietary Reference Intakes), it must be included in the list of references if it is referred to in the manuscript.
    • Cite references in the text using consecutive numbers formatted as superscript numbers outside of punctuation. Type references at the end of the article (before tables/figures if there are any) in the order they are cited in the text, not alphabetically or chronologically.
    • Limit references to 60.
  9. Disclosures
    • Disclosure statements will be collected from all contributors, including editors, guest editor, authors, and reviewers. Any conflicts of interest for editors or authors will be identified at the beginning of the issue or article, respectively. All contributors must disclose any relevant financial relationships within the prior 24 months (regardless of the amount) and identify any conflicts of interest. Disclosure statements for peer reviewers will be reviewed and kept on file but not published in Support Line.
  10. Logos
    • Logos for Dietitians in Nutrition Support and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may be included in Support Line.
    • Logos from other dietetic related practice groups or professional organizations may also be included if a joint publication issue.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (Appendix A)

COI disclosure forms are required for each author per the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) guidelines for Continuing Professional Education (CPE). The disclosure form is included below. Please copy this information into a new Word document, provide the required information for each author separately, and save the file as: Author last name Appendix A.

Individuals must disclose all financial relationships within the prior 24 months, regardless of the amount. Conflict of interest in CPE arises in CPE when individual financial relationships relevant to the CPE content compromise or have the potential to compromise professional judgment and/or impart bias into CPE content. CDR considers employers to be financial relationships “if the CPE content that an individual influences, controls, contributes to, or presents relates to business lines, products, services, or commodities that may contribute to that individual’s financial or professional gain.” However, you can list a financial relationship without checking the box that it creates a conflict of interest: “Conflicts of interest arise in CPE when individual financial relationships relevant to the CPE content compromise or have the potential to compromise judgment and/or impart bias into the CPE content.” This will oftentimes mean that an employer needs to be listed, but it will not need the COI indication, simply for transparency reasons.

Support Line Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships and Conflict(s) of Interest Form

Name of author:

List as many financial relationships below as you have, including the following for each financial relationship:

  1. Company or organization with which individual has a financial relationship
  2. Nature of financial relationship (individual’s role with company or organization)
  3. Whether or not there is a conflict of interest due to this relationship
    Example: (1) ABC Company, (2) Researcher, (3) no conflict of interest

□In the past 24 months, I have not had any financial relationships with companies or organizations.
□I attest that the above information is correct as of this date of submission.
Date:
Signature:

Examples:
Examples of “nature of financial relationship (individual’s role with company or organization)”: employee, researcher, consultant, advisor, speaker, independent contractor (including contracted research), royalties or patent beneficiary, executive and person with ownership interest.
Examples of disclosure statements to learners:
Dr. Cameron Yates, planner for this educational event, has received a research grant from XYZ Tube Feeding Organization.
Dr. Candice Tamci, speaker for this educational event, has no relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

Permission to Reprint Form (Appendix B)

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission from publishers and paying any fees related to obtaining permission to reprint any tables or illustrations from other sources. A copy of the permission letter (or letter of request) should accompany the submitted manuscript and be uploaded as supporting file(s). Appendix B is the permission form to request permission to reprint a figure or table from another source. Previously published images should also have an appropriate credit line in the caption (for example: Reprinted from Bonsante et al31.). Authors must also convey all rights of their work to DNS. The permission reprint form is included below. Please copy this information into a new Word document, provide the required information, obtain the signature for permission, and save the file as: Corresponding author last name Appendix B.

Support Line Permission to Reprint Form

Date:
To:
From:

We request your permission to include the material described below in an issue of SUPPORT LINE published by Dietitians in Nutrition Support, a practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Author:
Publication title:
Article title:
Table, figure, or selection:
Publication year, volume and page number:
Publisher:

Please indicate your approval by signing and returning this form. Unless otherwise specified, references will be acknowledged in conventional form including author, title, publication, and date of publication. Please provide any additional information or an exact credit line below. We appreciate your cooperation.

Granted by:
Date:

Please return at time of submission or to the Support Line Managing Editor: supportline@technicaeditorial.com.

Procedure for Submitting a Manuscript

Manuscripts are submitted through Support Line’s Scholastica online platform. Before submission, please review the following checklist to ensure you have all the required documents:

  • Manuscript file formatted according to Support Line guidelines
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Appendix A) for each author
  • Permission to Reprint Form (if reprinting material from other sources) (Appendix B)
  • Curriculum Vitae(s) for all authors

Manuscripts are submitted electronically at: https://supportline.scholasticahq.com/

This will bring you to the journal’s informational pages. Here you will find additional information about the journal, submission requirements, and the editorial board. Once you’re ready to submit, click “Submit Manuscript” in the upper right corner:

*Please note you will need to make a Scholastica account before you can submit your first manuscript. You will be directed to do so once you click “Submit Manuscript.” This same account will be used to submit future manuscripts for consideration.

To submit your manuscript, you will have to complete the following steps within the Scholastica online platform:

  1. Enter the title of your manuscript and click Save and continue.
  2. Copy the abstract text (the abstract should also remain in your manuscript file) and provide 3-5 keywords to assist with indexing the article. Click Save and mark step as complete.
  3. Add author information – Type each author’s name and degrees exactly as they should appear on the published manuscript. The corresponding author will receive all email communication from Technica Editorial Services. The designation of first author, second author, third author, etc. is used to determine the author order for publication. Click Save and mark step as complete.
  4. Upload the article under Primary Manuscript File and upload Curriculum Vitae(s) and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Forms (Appendix A) for all authors. If reprinting material from another source (table, figures, images), upload a completed Permission to Reprint Form (Appendix B). Click Save and mark step as complete.
  5. Add the name and email of any suggested reviewers (This step is strongly encouraged, although optional). Click Save and mark step as complete.
  6. Acknowledge the Copyright Agreement. Check boxes and click Save and mark step as complete.
  7. Read and agree to the disclaimer, “I understand that after submitting, I cannot make any changes to this manuscript.” Click Submit manuscript.

Receipt of each manuscript will be acknowledged immediately via email. You will receive notifications and can view the status of your manuscript at all times from your account home page.