The nation's first comprehensive nutrition survey was the _____.

The nation's first comprehensive nutrition survey was the Ten-State Nutrition Survey. This survey, conducted in the 1970s, targeted specific states to assess the nutritional status of residents, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations. Its findings contributed significantly to understanding the dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies prevalent in certain regions of the United States, influencing public health policy and nutrition programs.

The Ten-State Nutrition Survey was unique in that it was one of the earliest efforts to gather detailed nutritional information across multiple states, providing a broad picture of dietary issues in the country at that time. This comprehensive nature allowed for comparisons among different states and regions, which was vital for developing targeted nutrition interventions.

In contrast, other options like the CSFII (Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals), NHANES I (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), and the Total Diet Study are important initiatives in their own right but came later or had different scopes. Each of these programs contributed valuable insights into American dietary practices, but they do not hold the distinction of being the very first comprehensive nutritional survey on a national scale.