Getting to Equity in Obesity Prevention Toolkit

The Council on Black Health just released a new toolkit focused on including an equity component in the planning and implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change approaches. The Getting to Equity in Obesity Prevention Toolkit toolkit was based on a framework previously published in 2019 in the American Journal of Public Health and is available here: https://gtetoolkit.councilbh.org/. We encourage you to explore the toolkit and use the framework in your work.

Special Issue of Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity is soliciting manuscripts from leaders in the field of early childhood nutrition, physical activity, and childhood obesity prevention for a special journal issue honoring Dr. Dianne Ward, on "Promotion of Health and Wellness in Early Childhood Settings." The journal encourages at least one author to be a student or trainee who has played a significant role in the overall research. Visit the journal website to view more information for authors.

10 New Healthy Eating Research Grantees

Our latest cohort of grantees began work in November and December, 2023. These research teams are focusing on a range of supportive family policies and programs and their potential to improve nutrition and health. Learn more about the studies.

Ultra-Processed Food Taxes and Minimally-Processed Food Subsidies

Findings from a new study suggest that national taxes on unhealthy ultra-processed foods/beverages and targeted subsidies for minimally-processed foods/beverages could promote healthier food choices among low-income households at a relatively low cost for the federal government annually. Learn more.

Impacts of Increased WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefits by Race and Ethnicity

This study investigated whether increased fruit and vegetable benefit increases were associated with increases in benefit redemption, household food security, child fruit and vegetable intake, and satisfaction, and assessed these outcomes by racial and ethnic group. Learn more.

WIC Fruit and Vegetable Study

The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition conducted a study exploring how the policy changes in the WIC cash value benefit (fruit and vegetable money) during the pandemic impacted the WIC program and child access to fruits and vegetables. Findings are summarized in a Policy Brief, and the accompanying Toolkit was developed to support WIC agencies. Learn more.

Understanding the Uptake of WIC Online Ordering

This study estimates the diffusion of online food benefit ordering among WIC participants, and develops a framework and recommendations for how to understand and improve the uptake of online ordering. Learn more.

Food Insecurity and the Child Tax Credit 

A research team interviewed 40 low-wage working families with children living in two U.S. cities, asking them how an array of federal economic supports offered during COVID-19 affected them, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit. Sixty percent of participants reported food insecurity. Learn more.

Testing Effects of a Front-of-Package Disclosure in Children's Drinks

This study tested front-of-package disclosure statements with caregivers of young children. Results suggest that front-of-package disclosures on children’s drink packages can increase caregivers’ understanding of product ingredients and aid in selecting healthier children’s drinks. Learn more.

State Agency Perspectives on Successes and Challenges of Administering CACFP

The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) improves nutrition and reduces food insecurity for young children while helping cover food costs for care providers and families, yet the program is underutilized. This report uses qualitative interviews with state CACFP administrators representing 28 states to explore federal and state policies and practices that support or discourage CACFP participation. Learn more.

Healthy Eating Research Commissioned Research Opportunity

Healthy Eating Research is excited to share that we have research funds available for small commissioned studies and papers. Commissioned projects are intended to address time-sensitive research questions; all projects should aim to identify and evaluate policies, environmental approaches, and systems changes that advance health and nutrition equity in the areas of healthy food access and security, diet quality, and healthy weight, thus improving inequities in social structures and community conditions that are the main drivers of diet and weight-related health disparities. For more information on this funding opportunity and how to apply, please visit our website.