Healthy Eating Research

The Cost-Effectiveness of Interventions for Reducing Obesity among Young Children

Using research conducted by the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, this brief provides an overview of the goals of cost-effectiveness analysis, the evidence thus far on the cost-effectiveness of different strategies to prevent obesity in the places where very young children live, learn, and play, and the evidence that is still needed for informed decision-making.

State Policies on Testing Drinking Water for Lead in U.S. Schools

Reports of lead contamination have emerged in schools and communities across the country. The focus on this issue is deserved: even at low levels, lead exposure is harmful, especially for young children. A new report from the Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California examines states’ approaches to testing school drinking water for lead and finds notable variation in states’ efforts.

Better for You Foods: A Guide to Evaluating the Quality of Nutrition Standards

Retailers and other organizations use a variety of nutrition standards and recommendations to identify healthier, or “Better-For-You” foods. Healthy Eating Research convened a scientific advisory committee to review existing “Better-For-You” nutrition standards, and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

A National Research Agenda on Beverage Consumption Among 0- to 5-Year-Olds

The goal of this national research agenda is to outline research gaps and opportunities for researchers, foundations, and practitioners to pursue in order to reduce sugary drink consumption and increase safe water access and consumption among 0- to 5-year-olds.

New Videos for Parents on Infant and Toddler Feeding

Partnering with HER and building on the recent report, Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Young Toddlers: A Responsive Parenting Approach, 1,000 Days has launched a series of bite-sized videos on one of the biggest questions parents have: how to introduce solid foods.

Early Care and Education Policies and Programs to Support Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: Best Practices and Changes Over Time.

Over the last six years, efforts to strengthen policies, systems, and environments to promote health and prevent obesity have become more robust and widespread. These efforts include updates to federal policies and programs, state regulations, local policies, and evidence-based guidance. The goal of the current research review is to provide the most up-to-date information on the impact of these changes in policies, systems, and environments aimed at promoting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time in young children in the ECE setting.

Learn about the childhood
obesity epidemic

Focus Areas

Beverages

Diet Quality

Early Childhood

Food Access

Food & Beverage Marketing

Food Retail

Healthy Weight

Nutrition & Agriculture Policy and Programs

Pricing & Economics

School & After School

Research & Publications

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April 2019

Parental and Provider Perceptions of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Interventions in the First 1,000 Days: A Qualitative Study

Novel approaches to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption during the first 1,000 days – pregnancy through age 2 years – are urgently needed. This study examined perceptions of SSB consumption and acceptability of potential intervention strategies to promote SSB avoidance in low income families in the first 1,000 days. Themes … More

March 2016

The Impact of the First 1,000 Days on Childhood Obesity

The first 1,000 days, or the period from conception through age 2, is increasingly recognized as a critical period for the development of childhood obesity and its adverse consequences. This issue brief is based on two review papers that examined evidence on risk factors for developing childhood obesity and interventions … More

February 2016

Minimum Stocking Levels and Marketing Strategies of Healthful Foods for Small Retail Food Stores

The healthfulness of foods and beverages found in retail food stores differs widely across the United States, both by location of the store as well as by store type. Some communities have limited access to stores that carry healthful staple foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, and … More

January 2016

The Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health Warning Labels on Parents’ Choices

U.S. states have introduced bills requiring sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to display health warning labels. This study examined how warning labels influence parents and which labels are most effective. Over 2,000 demographically and educationally diverse parents of children ages 6 to 11 participated in an online survey. Parents were randomized to … More

Beverages