This article examines the impact of the 2009 food package changes for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on the availability of healthful foods in two lower-income urban neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Each year, WIC provides more than 9 million pregnant and breast-feeding women, infants, and children up to age five More
This study explored the extent to which schoolchildren would purchase pre-cut and bagged fruits and vegetables from a mobile fruit vendor (frutero). During 14 days in fall 2008, a vendor sold fruits and vegetables at the entrance of an elementary school property in Oakland, California, at the close of each school day. Overall, 248 bags More
One hundred percent fruit juice makes up a substantial part of the total fruit intakes of children and is a major contributor to their total nutrient intake. However, fruit juices have energy densities similar to sugar-sweetened beverages and might contribute to excess energy intake, obesity, and weight gain. This paper discusses the results of a More
This study evaluated the effects of two meal service strategies on intake of fruits and vegetables of preschool children: 1) serving fruits and vegetables in advance of other menu items as part of traditional family style meal service; and 2) serving meals portioned and plated by providers. Researchers found that fruit consumption and intake of More
In 2007, Maine became the first state to pass legislation limiting the marketing of foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) in public schools. This article describes compliance with this legislation and the nature and extent of junk food marketing in a representative statewide sample of high schools in Maine. Researchers found that posters and signs More
This paper estimates the effects of junk food availability on body mass index (BMI), obesity, and related outcomes among a national sample of fifth graders. The researchers found that junk food availability does not significantly increase BMI or obesity among this fifth-grade cohort despite the increased likelihood of in-school junk food purchases. Estimates suggest that More
Improving the nutritional quality of foods served in child care may come at a higher cost according to a study of foods served in child-care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Researchers found that higher daily food expenditures were associated with higher total food energy and higher nutritional quality of More
Local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now developing media campaigns to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, which has been found to play a significant role in childhood obesity. The aim of this research project is to test the efficacy of existing beverage-related media messages for youth and parents in More
This study will examine the impact of the opening of a new grocery store in a lower-income, multi-ethnic neighborhood in San Francisco. This research team has already collected two sets of baseline data from the neighborhood prior to the opening of the grocery store. This new project will allow for a final wave of endpoint More
With the link between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and childhood obesity well established, effective strategies to reduce consumption of these beverages among children are needed. The objective of this research is to determine whether the nutritional content of fortified beverages and fruit drinks warrants their inclusion or exclusion from public policies designed to reduce the marketing More
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