Newsletter
Contact
Latest News and Research
Ages 5-18 Beverage Recommendations
Experts convened by Healthy Eating Research from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association have developed evidence-based recommendations to guide healthier drink choices for kids ages 5 to 18. The recommendations address questions and concerns about sugar, caffeine, and other ingredients to promote better overall nutrition and health.
focus areas
Research & Publications See all
December 2025
Impact of Deimplementing Universal Free School Meals: School Food Authority Perspectives
This study examined the impact of deimplementing universal free school meal (UFSM) policies compared with continuing UFSM at the state level. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in spring 2023 with 941 school food authorities (SFAs) across eight U.S. states, assessing outcomes such as meal participation, foodservice revenues, staffing needs, administrative burdens, stigma, and student meal More
December 2025
Provider, sponsor and family perceptions of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation and COVID-19 reimbursement increases
Family childcare home (FCCH) providers’ participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has declined, often due to inadequate tiered reimbursements. During COVID-19, federal waivers temporarily removed tiers and raised reimbursement rates, offering insight into program impacts. From September 2023 to February 2024, interviews with California FCCH providers (n=31), CACFP sponsors (n=10), and More
December 2025
“It’s confusing as hell”: A qualitative study of barriers accessing poverty alleviation benefits through the US Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the largest U.S. poverty alleviation program, with positive effects on health equity. Over 20% of eligible households do not receive benefits. In this qualitative study, researchers explored benefits of and barriers to EITC receipt among EITC-eligible families through analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews with EITC-eligible parents in California More
December 2025
From Policy to Plate: Implications of 2025 U.S. Federal Policy Changes on School Meals
School meals are a cornerstone of the United States’ nutrition safety net for children from low-income families, providing nearly 30 million lunches daily. However, recent U.S. policy actions may limit access to school meals for children who need them most. This commentary, published in the Nutrients Special Issue The Influence of School Meals on Children More