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What Role Can Child-Care Settings Play in Obesity Prevention? A Review of the Evidence and Call for Research Efforts |
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Authors: Nicole Larson, PhD, MPH, RD; Dianne S. Ward, EdD; Sara Benjamin Neelon, PhD, MPH, RD; and Mary Story, PhD, RD
This article summarizes the scientific literature on state regulations, practices and policies, and interventions for promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and for preventing obesity in preschool-aged children attending child care. Findings of the review indicate that most states lack strong healthy eating and physical activity regulations for child-care settings. Assessments of child-care settings suggest opportunities for improving the nutritional quality of food provided to children, the time children are engaged in physical activity, and caregivers’ promotion of children’s health behaviors and use of health education resources. Read the paper.
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Industry Progress to Market a Healthful Diet to American Children and Adolescents |
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Authors: Vivica I. Kraak, MS, RD; Mary Story, PhD, RD; Ellen A. Wartella, PhD; Jaya Ginter, MPH
In a 2005 report, Food Marketing to Children and Youth: Threat or Opportunity, an IOM expert committee concluded that prevailing food and beverage marketing practices did not support a healthful diet and provided recommendations to guide diverse stakeholders to promote a healthful diet to children and adolescents. This paper reviews the available evidence between December 1, 2005 and January 31, 2011 to evaluate industry stakeholders’ progress to market a healthful diet to children and adolescents. The evaluation showed that moderate progress was made by food and beverage companies and industry, in cooperation with public-sector groups, to improve marketing practice standards. Limited progress was made by restaurants, industry trade associations, entertainment companies, and the media. Read the paper. |
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Encouraging Consumption of Water in School and Child Care Settings: Access, Challenges, and Strategies for Improvement |
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Authors: Anisha I. Patel, MD, MSPH, MSHS and Karla E. Hampton, JD
Children and adolescents are not consuming enough water. Since children spend most of their day in school and child care settings, ensuring that safe, potable water is available in these settings is essential. This article identifies challenges that limit access to drinking water, including deteriorating drinking water infrastructure, limited drinking water availability, insufficient federal meal program regulations, and increasing availability of competitive beverages. It also discusses opportunities to increase drinking water availability and consumption, such as improving the quality of tap water, implementing policies that promote free drinking water access and intake, educating students and families about the benefits of tap water, and reducing the marketing and sales of competitive beverages. Future research, policy efforts and funding needed in this area are also identified. Read the paper. |
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Food Insecurity and Weight Status Among U.S. Children and Families: A Review of the Literature (February 2011) |
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Authors: Nicole I. Larson, PhD, MPH, RD and Mary T. Story, PhD, RD
Food insecurity disproportionately affects U.S. demographic groups of children and adults at greatest risk for obesity and may lead to weight gain through various pathways. This article presents a comprehensive summary of the current literature on the relationship between food insecurity and weight status, and the role federal food and nutrition assistance programs may play in this relationship. The studies examined suggest that support for an association between food insecurity and weight status among children and men is mixed. Women who experience food insecurity are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to women who are food secure; however there is little evidence that food insecurity promotes increased weight gain over time. Long-term participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may increase risk for excess weight gain. Read the paper. |
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Relative Contribution of Energy Intake and Energy Expenditure to Childhood Obesity: A Review of the Literature and Directions for Future Research (November 2010) |
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Authors: Sara N. Bleich, PhD; Rosemary Ku, MD; and Y. Claire Wang, MD, ScD
Understanding the relative importance of overconsumption and physical inactivity to excess weight gain among children and adolescents can contribute to the development and evaluation of interventions and policies to reduce childhood obesity. However, there has been debate on whether energy intake or energy expenditure is the dominant contributor to childhood obesity. This review article evaluated the available literature related to the relative contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to the U.S. childhood obesity trend. The studies examined suggest that the primary determinant of energy imbalance is not definitive. The authors conclude that more research and better methods are needed to identify the relative contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to obesity in the pediatric population. Read the paper. |
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Relationship of Fruit and Vegetable Intake with Adiposity: A Systematic Review (July 2010) |
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Authors: Tracey A. Ledoux, PhD; Melanie D. Hingle, PhD, RD; and Tom Baranowski, PhD
Since fruits and vegetables (FV) are rich in water and fiber, and low in energy density, FV consumption has been proposed as an obesity prevention strategy. This review article evaluates the available literature on the relationship between FV intake and adiposity. It also highlights implications for future research in this area. Read the paper. |
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Are 'Competitive Foods' Sold at School Making Our Children Fat? (March 2010) |
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Authors: Nicole Larson, PhD, MPH, RD and Mary Story, PhD, RD
Competitive foods, or foods and beverages sold outside of the school lunch program, are often cited as a contributing factor to the high rates of childhood obesity in the U.S. This article reviews the current literature on the availability and nutritional content of competitive foods in schools and the effects of these foods on students’ dietary intake and risk of obesity. Read the paper. |
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Review of the Nutritional Implications of Farmers' Markets and Community Gardens: A Call for Evaluation and Research Efforts (March 2010) |
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Authors: Lacey Arneson McCormack, MPH, RD; Melissa Nelson Laska, PhD, RD; Nicole Larson, PhD, MPH, RD; and Mary Story, PhD, RD
While farmers' markets and community gardens are growing in popularity as strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, little is known about their impact on dietary intake. This article reviews the current literature on the effect of farmers’ market programs and community gardens on nutrition-related outcomes in adults. Read the paper. |
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Food Systems and Public Health Disparities (December 2009) |
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Authors: Roni Neff, PhD, MS; Anne M. Palmer; Shawn E. McKenzie, MPH; Robert S. Lawrence, MD
This article reviews literature examining the impact food systems have on creating and exacerbating health disparities in the United States. It highlights directions for future research and policies to address the health disparities created by food systems. Read the paper. |
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Reshaping the Food System for Ecological Public Health (December 2009) |
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Author: Tim Lang, PhD
This article proposes and outlines a new paradigm in food policy–ecological public health–which sees human and planetary health as linked and food as a key connection point. It highlights the need for food policy to address not only supply but governance and consumer cultural challenges. Seven policy priorities to redesign food policy are outlined. Read the paper. |
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Publications 
