This paper describes some of the ways that agricultural policies influence what foods (and how much of them) are produced and eaten in the United States. In doing so, the authors identify key factors that contribute to the negative trends in obesity and also offer possible strategies for revising policies to reverse these trends.
Published: February 2007
ID #: 1005
Publisher: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Authors: Muller M, Schoonover H, Wallinga D
Keywords: Commodity foods, Competitive foods, Farm, Food systems, Fruits and vegetables, School meal programs, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
State: National
Focus Areas: Nutrition Policy & Programs, Pricing & Economics, School & After School
Resource Type: Report
Related Research
May 2026
Beyond Added Sugar Reduction: A Narrative Review of Policies to Address Nonsugar Sweeteners
This perspective provides policymakers, advocates and researchers with a description of proposed and enacted policies that assist consumers in identifying products with nonsugar sweeteners (NSS) and/or reduce NSS exposure. Consumption of NSS is associated with multiple chronic diseases. NSS exposure is increasing as food and beverage manufacturers replace added sugars with NSS. This narrative review MoreApril 2026
Policy Priorities and Research Needs for Advancing Healthy Eating: A 2026-2027 Research Agenda for U.S. Children and Adolescents
Given recent changes to nutrition policies and programs and the food environment landscape, the need for new evidence on how these changes impact nutrition, health, and food access is greater than ever. HER has also published a research agenda intended to provide a blueprint for immediate (i.e., 12-18 month) research needs to inform strategies to MoreDecember 2025