Policy Priorities and Research Needs for Advancing Healthy Eating: A 2026-2027 Research Agenda for U.S. Children and Adolescents

Published: April 2026

Publisher: Healthy Eating Research

Authors: Lott M, Maitin-Shepard M, Reed L, Story M

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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 improve access to healthy foods, diet quality, and healthy weights among children and families. This 2026-2027 Rapid Response Research Agenda presents an overview of priority policy issues organized by life stage or federal nutrition program, followed by a set of research priorities aligned with three overarching themes that emerged across topic areas. The resulting research agenda reflects the collective expertise of leading researchers, advocates, and funders.

Read the 2026-2027 Rapid Response Research Agenda.

Learn more about this project.

 

Read the Report

Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)

Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, American Indian, Asian, Latino(a) or Hispanic, Multi-racial/ethnic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White

Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), Diet quality/dietary assessment, Food insecurity, Healthy weight

Focus Areas: Early Childhood, Food Access, Food Retail, Healthy Communities, Nutrition Policy & Programs, School & After School

States: National, Tribal Nation

Resource Type: Report

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