Articles tagged with Food Policy
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Michigan State University has been awarded $18.5 million in USAID grants to support food security initiatives in Nigeria and Senegal. The grants will help strengthen the countries' policies and procedures necessary for achieving their own food security goals.
Researchers found that specific food items like potato chips, butter, and sugary drinks contribute to weight gain in children. Policy experts suggest labeling unhealthy products, changing food marketing, and increasing access to healthy options to promote healthier choices.
A study of 7,699 fast food diners in NYC and NJ found that calorie labels don't reduce overall calories consumed. While some consumers notice and respond to calorie counts, awareness decreases over time, suggesting a need for multi-faceted approaches to address obesity.
Researchers at UCSF and Feeding America found that providing nutritious food and education to low-income individuals with diabetes improved glycemic control and medication adherence. The intervention also encouraged the consumption of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that federal policy changes led to an increase in healthy food availability at smaller urban corner stores in Baltimore. The researchers found that stores in neighborhoods with a majority of black residents showed the greatest improvement, suggesting that boosting hea...
A recent study found that US adults who follow a 'moderation' diet with less dietary diversity are more likely to experience central weight gain and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, those with higher dietary diversity, as measured by dissimilarity, actually experienced worse metabolic health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening all children for food insecurity and refers families to community resources. Lack of adequate healthy food can impair concentration, lead to behavioral problems, and increase risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans should incorporate sustainability considerations to address the health and wellbeing of Americans and the planet. Sustainability evaluations may lead to future regulation, change food-group guidance, and form new political coalitions that favor sustainable diets.
A new study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing suggests that both numeric calorie labels and traffic lights are effective ways to encourage consumers to make low-calorie choices. The research found that employees who received either type of label made food selections with 10% fewer calories.
A study published by a University of Missouri sociologist explores how the perception of authenticity in Mexican restaurants varies among owners, staff, and patrons. The research suggests that consumers' expectations and experiences play a significant role in determining what constitutes authentic Mexican food.
The study aims to assess the effect of a new food hub, Hub 55, on residents' dietary habits and health outcomes in Cleveland. Researchers will compare patterns between residents near the hub and those in a similar community without access to a food hub.
A five-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture will support a graduate training program combining laboratory research and practical application to enhance food safety in the produce industry. The program aims to develop tested, validated methods to reduce food safety risks in an affordable way.
New research from Cornell University suggests that farmers should wait 24 hours after a rain or irrigation to harvest crops, as this reduces the risk of exposure to the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. By doing so, farmers can minimize the presence of Listeria on fresh produce and ensure consumer safety.
A recent study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found a strong correlation between global increases in food energy supply and obesity rates. The research analyzed data from 69 countries and discovered that both body weight and food energy supply had increased in 81% of them between 1971 and 2010.
A new Cornell University study suggests that emphasizing the positive when it comes to nutrition education leads to healthier food choices. The study found that policies framed positively, supporting choice, are more effective than those with limitations.
Researchers found that creating conflict with target population can backfire, while positively framed policies support choice and lead to positive responses. The study highlights the need for policymakers to empathize with their audience and work with them rather than against them.
A landmark report outlines seven projects to address global food security's complex ethical issues, including redefining farming as a service-oriented profession and developing climate-smart agriculture. The '7 by 5 Agenda' aims to make progress on divisive issues in the next five years.
A California study found that school food policies improved childhood obesity prevalence, particularly in affluent neighborhoods. The prevalence of overweight-obesity stabilized among disadvantaged students after policy implementation.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the percentage of children eating fast food on a given day dropped from 38.8% to 32.6% between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010, respectively. Calorie intake from burger and chicken restaurants also decreased, while Mexican and sandwich restaurants remained constant.
A study found that government biofuel policies rely on reductions in food consumption to generate greenhouse gas savings. The reduction in food available for consumption drives the decline in carbon dioxide emissions. This means that less food is available, and prices go up, disproportionately affecting the world's poor.
A lack of regulatory definition for natural foods has led to increased consumer lawsuits, forcing companies to reformulate products. The FDA and FTC have previously abandoned efforts to define natural products due to limited progress.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that Los Angeles' fast-food ban has failed to improve diets or reduce obesity rates in low-income areas. Despite the ban, fast-food consumption increased and obesity rates rose faster than in other parts of the city.
African food security requires a customized approach, according to new research. The study suggests that developing new technologies for tree and root crops could be more effective than copying Asian approaches. Key findings reveal that labor-intensive technologies are not suitable for Africa due to abundant labor costs.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers found that locating full-service supermarkets in food deserts has no appreciable impact on household food availability or children's dietary intake. The introduction of a government-subsidized supermarket did not result in significant changes in dietary habits, despite the expectati...
The study found that overall diet quality worsened globally despite increased consumption of healthier foods in many countries. Poorer regions, such as Sub Saharan Africa and Latin America, showed little improvement in dietary patterns, highlighting the need for urgent action to address diet-related health issues.
The Lancet's Obesity Series reveals that global progress towards tackling obesity has been 'unacceptably slow', with only one in four countries implementing policies on healthy eating. The series calls for a radical shift in approach, including smart food policies and increased accountability to governments and industries.
Global diet quality has improved for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables over the past two decades, but unhealthy foods have increased in consumption. The study found that diet patterns vary widely by national income, with low-income countries having poorer diets.
A new study sheds light on nutrition, land use, and water security dimensions of global food trade. The research reveals that more than one-fifth of calories grown in farm fields are traded, requiring about 20% of the world's croplands.
A recent study by Robert Mai and Stefan Hoffmann found that healthy food is often perceived as tasting bad, leading to overconsumption of unhealthy options. Despite education on ingredients, consumers prioritize taste over healthiness, making it challenging to combat obesity rates.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers reveals that Illinois plays a vital role in distributing over 400 million tons of food annually, with the state transporting more than 70 million tons. The study highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure to ensure national and global food security.
A new coalition aims to promote balanced dietary guidance, backed by a survey of healthcare professionals who favor balanced information over prescriptive food policies. The Coalition suggests that approach based on balanced, moderate consumption of a wide variety of foods would be the most effective.
Researchers found significant differences between two commercially available datasets used to analyze the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and food and alcohol establishments. The study highlights the need for accurate data to support policy decisions on issues like incentives for grocery stores in econom...
A new study suggests that companies with strong social responsibility reputations can inadvertently create a 'health halo' around their products, leading to overconsumption and underestimation of calories. This phenomenon can have serious health consequences for individuals and society.
A study found that fast food marketing tactics are more prevalent in middle-income, rural, and majority-black neighborhoods than in other areas. Marketing strategies targeting children were associated with higher rates of unhealthy food consumption.
Canadian health organizations call on governments to implement policies that facilitate access to affordable healthy foods and beverages in workplaces, schools, and communities. This can help prevent diet-related diseases like obesity and hypertension, ultimately improving cardiovascular health.
Consumers of frozen meals had higher daily intakes of dietary fiber, potassium, calcium and protein, while QSR consumers had lower intakes. Frozen meal eaters also consumed 253 fewer calories and 2.6 grams less saturated fat per day.
A new study finds that more healthy foods have risen significantly in price over time, with a total average increase of £1.84 per 1000kcal for more healthy food across the decade, compared to £0.73 for less healthy food. This trend could contribute to growing food insecurity and health inequalities.
A global research agenda is necessary to address the challenges of climate-smart agriculture, which aims to improve farm productivity while maintaining ecosystem services. The initiative focuses on three key areas: farm and food systems, landscape and regional issues, and institutional and policy matters.
Researchers propose taxing nearly all packaged foods and subsidizing healthier options to encourage better dietary choices. The goal is to reduce health care costs associated with diet-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.
A study published in BMJ Open found that social inequalities in salt intake have hardly changed in Britain over the last decade, despite a national average salt reduction. The research suggests that poorer households still consume more salt than higher socio-economic groups, highlighting the need to address these disparities to achieve...
The Sino-U.S. Joint Research Center for Food Safety will conduct research on global food safety-related policies, establish an international research platform, and propose solutions for hazards in the food industry value chain.
A new study found that when children are presented with healthy food as making them strong or helping them learn, they consume less of it. Brands can use this result to de-emphasize benefits and focus on the positive experience of eating. This helps combat childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes.
A recent study found that the US obesity epidemic is affecting all segments of the population, with no significant differences in weight gain among groups based on race or education level. The report suggests that environmental factors such as cheap and easily accessible food are driving the increase in obesity rates across the country.
The Abdul Latif Jameel World Water and Food Security Lab will spearhead research to address global water and food scarcity, targeting half a billion people by 2025. MIT faculty from various departments will collaborate across disciplines to develop regionally appropriate solutions.
The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing evidence linking dietary trans fat to human health risks, with potential restrictions on industrially produced trans fats. The move aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and has implications for industries such as food manufacturers and restaurants.
Research suggests that people exposed to more takeaway food outlets are more likely to consume these foods and be obese. The study found a significant dose-response relationship between takeaway outlet exposure and both diet and body mass index.
New USDA guidelines have increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among low-income students without leading to an increase in food waste. Students now select a fruit or vegetable as part of their lunch, resulting in improved nutrition.
A new study confirms that global diets have grown more similar over the last five decades, leading to a decline in diverse local crops. This trend has major consequences for human nutrition and global food security, increasing the risk of food crises due to climate change.
The Northeast region of the US is vulnerable to changes in food production due to climate change, with population growth and dietary choices expected to impact regional self-reliance. The region can satisfy its residents' food needs through a diverse range of crops and livestock production.
New research found that older children are more likely to be overweight when living in close proximity to a high density of unhealthy eating outlets. The study, which analyzed data from over 1 million children, suggests that planning policies can help tackle childhood obesity by reducing the availability of unhealthy food options.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization suggests that governments can slow and reverse the growing obesity epidemic by regulating fast food consumption. The study found that countries with stricter market regulations had lower increases in fast food transactions per capita, indicating a potential link between...
A survey of over 800 US adults found that individuals are primarily blamed for obesity, while farmers and grocery stores are relatively blameless. The study challenges the assumption that policy solutions will work if people believe obesity is a personal problem.
A study of over 2,600 menu items found that full-service restaurants in Philadelphia exceed daily recommended values for calories, fat, and sodium. Nutrition education can help consumers make informed choices, but policy changes are necessary to promote healthier options.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that 'traffic light' food labels and strategic placement of healthy items led to lasting changes in customer choices. After two years, purchases of healthier options increased by 12%, while sugar-sweetened beverage sales dropped by 39%.
Researchers at the University of Southampton argue that empowering women with food choices is crucial for improving future generations' health. The study suggests that environmental changes, such as increased access to healthy foods and local media campaigns, can make a significant impact.
A meta-analysis found that healthier diet patterns cost significantly more than unhealthy ones, with an average daily difference of $1.50, representing a real burden for some families. The study suggests creating policies to offset these costs and reduce the economic benefits of healthy diets.
A new mathematical model can help business owners and policymakers determine the optimal locations for wholesale distributors to minimize transportation costs and maximize producers' and retailers' benefits. The model considers factors like distributor size, road conditions, and gas prices to identify ideal hubs in various supply chains.
A recent study highlights the association between poor oral health and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly among those consuming high amounts of sugar in junk foods. Experts recommend reducing fizzy drink intake and improving oral hygiene to prevent heart problems later in life.
A majority of young California children eat fast food regularly, with 60% consuming it at least once a week. Parents in lower-income households have less influence over their children's eating habits, emphasizing the need for targeted health education and support.
Research led by Michigan State University found that schools offering healthful snack options can significantly improve students' diets. By implementing Smart Snacks nutrition standards, schools can boost daily consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, leading to improved overall nutrition.