Research & Publications | Healthy Eating Research

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Evidence-Based Recommendations and Best Practices for Promoting Healthy Eating Behaviors in Children 2 to 8 Years

Dietary recommendations are available about what to feed children ages 2 to 8 for optimal health, but relatively little guidance exists about how to feed those children. Because of the discrepancy between young children’s recommended and actual dietary intakes, there is a clear need for such guidance. To address this gap, Healthy Eating Research convened More

Date: October 2021

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Diet Quality & Healthy Weight Early Childhood

Healthy Eating Research Nutrition Guidelines for the Charitable Food System

Federal food programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are the first line of defense against food insecurity in the United States. However, these benefits are often not sufficient to meet all of the food needs of people living in food insecure More

Date: March 2020

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Food Access

Technical Scientific Report. Healthy Beverage Consumption in Early Childhood: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations

Research shows that what children drink – from birth through age 5 – can have a big impact on their health, as beverages make a significant contribution to dietary intake during this period. However, with so many choices available in the marketplace, it can be confusing for parents and caregivers to know which drinks are More

Date: September 2019

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Beverages Early Childhood

Consensus Statement. Healthy Beverage Consumption in Early Childhood: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations

Research shows that what children drink – from birth through age 5 – can have a big impact on their health, as beverages make a significant contribution to dietary intake during this period. However, with so many choices available in the marketplace, it can be confusing for parents and caregivers to know which drinks are More

Date: September 2019

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Beverages Early Childhood

Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Young Toddlers: A Responsive Parenting Approach. Guidelines for Health Professionals

This executive summary is based on a full report of guidelines developed by an expert panel convened by Healthy Eating Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The guidelines are based on current scientific evidence related to responsive parenting practices. Early life diet and feeding behaviors play an important role in establishing More

Date: February 2017

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Early Childhood

Guías de alimentación para niñas y niños menores de dos años: Un enfoque de crianza perceptiva

Early life diet and feeding behaviors play an important role in establishing healthy food preferences and behaviors and are crucial for preventing childhood overweight and obesity. This report presents evidence-based recommendations for promoting healthy nutrition and feeding patterns for infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months, with an emphasis on dietary quality, portion sizes, More

Date: February 2017

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Early Childhood

Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Young Toddlers: A Responsive Parenting Approach

Early life diet and feeding behaviors play an important role in establishing healthy food preferences and behaviors and are crucial for preventing childhood overweight and obesity. This report presents evidence-based recommendations for promoting healthy nutrition and feeding patterns for infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months, with an emphasis on dietary quality, portion sizes, More

Date: February 2017

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Early Childhood

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 low-fat dairy products, and these More

Date: February 2016

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Food Access Food Marketing Food Retail

Recommendations for Responsible Food Marketing to Children. Issue Brief

The marketing of unhealthy foods to children and youth is a major public health concern. Children in the United States grow up surrounded by food and beverage marketing, which primarily promotes products with excessive amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat, and inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This issue brief outlines a More

Date: January 2015

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Food Marketing School & After School

Recommendations for Responsible Food Marketing to Children

The marketing of unhealthy foods to children and youth is a major public health concern. Children in the United States grow up surrounded by food and beverage marketing, which primarily promotes products with excessive amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat, and inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This document provides a comprehensive More

Date: January 2015

Resource Type: Expert Panel Report

Focus Areas: Food Marketing School & After School