Articles tagged with Food Policy
A recent study found that nearly half of university and two-year college students in the US experience food insecurity, leading to academic struggles, mental health issues, and reduced career opportunities. Food insecure students often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms or go without meals, exacerbating the problem.
A new study highlights the benefits of a US salt reduction strategy for the food industry, finding that meeting FDA targets could produce significant health gains and cost savings. The researchers modelled the impact on food companies and workers, finding that the value of CVD-related health gains and cost savings exceed government costs.
Research shows that high prices of healthy foods are a major factor in malnutrition worldwide, particularly in poorer countries where access to nutrient-dense foods is limited. The study finds that economic development tends to make healthy foods more affordable, but also makes unhealthy processed foods cheaper.
Climate change and increased CO2 levels are projected to significantly reduce the availability of critical nutrients such as protein, iron, and zinc worldwide. By 2050, nutrient availability is expected to decrease by 19.5% for protein, 14.4% for iron, and 14.6% for zinc globally.
Michigan State University has received a $38 million USAID grant to implement a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity and Influence. The lab will partner with local agricultural policy research organizations to strengthen their ability to carry out rigorous research on food security policy.
A new study published in Science Advances found that El Niño-Southern Oscillation and other climate patterns significantly affect global corn, soybean, and wheat production. The research estimated that climate variability accounted for 18% of year-to-year changes in corn production.
A new study found that becoming new parents leads to increased spending on produce in middle- and high-income households, with a significant increase in fruit consumption. However, lower-income families did not exhibit similar changes in their produce purchases.
The Urban Studies Institute has been awarded a two-year grant to study the impact of mobility support options on the health behaviors and outcomes of low-income individuals with Type 2 diabetes in metro Atlanta. The research aims to address social barriers to health, reduce healthcare costs and advance health equity.
A new study found that Latino and black households have a greater negative environmental impact per dollar spent on food due to their purchasing patterns. They tend to buy more environmentally intensive foods like grains and protein, and spend more money overall.
A recent study has uncovered how a non-profit research organisation has been deployed by its corporate backers to push industry-favourable positions to policymakers and international bodies. The International Life Science Institute (ILSI) analysed over 17,000 pages of emails obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
Two large European studies find positive associations between ultra-processed food consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Consuming highly processed foods was associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.
Researchers argue that increasing crop yields is insufficient to end global hunger, as it overlooks the environmental impacts and nutritional quality of diets. A new study suggests that adopting ecological principles can improve the environmental sustainability of food production and promote biodiversity.
The introduction of Nutrition North Canada led to a significant increase in food insecurity, affecting 46% of households in 2014 compared to 33% in 2010. Despite the program's focus on nutritious foods, high prices and other factors contributed to worsening food access issues in Nunavut communities.
The FDA faces significant politicization, threatening its ability to make scientifically-informed decisions on public health. Experts argue that increased independence is needed to protect the nation's health, citing precedents from other agencies such as the FCC and SSA.
Research reveals that front-of-pack food claims on breakfast cereals can be uncorrelated with actual nutritional quality, yet still influence consumers' perceptions of taste, healthiness, and fattening consequences. The study identifies four distinct types of claims and their effects on consumer choices.
A science advisory from the American Heart Association describes system-wide innovations to improve access to healthy foods. Improvements in food production, distribution, and consumer behavior can favorably impact health behaviors, such as reducing calorie consumption and increasing fruit and vegetable intake.
A new study found that poor diet is responsible for more deaths globally than tobacco, high blood pressure, or any other health risk. The study, published in The Lancet, highlights the importance of low consumption of healthy foods and emphasizes the need for comprehensive food system interventions.
A new report found that white individuals produce an average of 680 kg of carbon dioxide per year from their food choices, while Latinx individuals produce 640 kg and blacks produce 600 kg. White diets require 7% more water than Latinx diets due to higher consumption of resource-intensive foods.
A study found persistent income-related inequalities in psychological distress and suicidal behaviors among Indigenous peoples. Improving social determinants of health, such as income and food availability, may help address these mental health issues.
A new report by University of Toronto researchers evaluates Canada's largest food and beverage companies based on their policies and commitments to sell healthier products. While many companies are making meaningful efforts to reduce sodium, sugar, and saturated fat in products, there is significant variability among them.
A new study suggests that healthy food prescriptions for adults in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease events and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs. The study found that programs incentivizing diet, particularly through fruit and vegetable purchases, could be highly cost-effective.
A new study by Tufts University researchers finds that healthy food prescriptions in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease cases and diabetes cases, while reducing healthcare utilization and costs. The programs would be highly cost-effective, with incremental costs of less than $50,000 per quality-adjus...
A new study from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that meal kits and recipe tastings in a food pantry increased the selection of whole grains and leafy greens by three times. The study also showed a spillover effect, where clients selected additional healthier options when meal kits were available.
A new study estimates that living in districts with intense crop residue burning increases the risk of acute respiratory infection three-fold among children. The study also found that crop burning causes an estimated USD 30 billion annual economic loss due to exposure to air pollution. Implementing targeted government initiatives can i...
The study found improved access for historically marginalized castes and tribes, but women with low education and poorest households were relatively excluded from program benefits. Utilization of ICDS services increased significantly between 2006 and 2016, especially in central and southern states.
Sera Young, a Northwestern University anthropologist, has developed the first scale to measure household water insecurity, a universal need bounded by disciplinary and geographic silos. The 12-question HWISE Scale will transform how we understand the prevalence, causes, and consequences of water insecurity on maternal and child health.
A study found that Chilean food regulations targeting obesity have a positive impact on mothers' understanding, perceptions, and spending habits. Mothers recognized healthier choices and perceived a cultural shift toward healthier eating.
A recent survey by Michigan State University found that the oldest Americans are most focused on reducing food waste, with 88% of all respondents taking steps to reduce it. Among those who make efforts, 71% try not to purchase excess food and 71% often consume food before it spoils.
A no-deal Brexit is predicted to result in the greatest price hikes for imported fruits and vegetables, leading to a substantial drop in intake. This could contribute to an estimated 12,400 extra cardiovascular deaths over the next decade in England.
Dietary inequities in Canada refer to differences in diet quality between people of lower and higher socioeconomic status. Existing nutrition policies are insufficient to address the root causes of poor diets, particularly among those with lower social positions.
A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that nearly a quarter of employed adults obtain high-calorie foods at work. The CDC investigated food acquisition habits through the Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey, which revealed that these foods often don't align with the Dietary Guidelines f...
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that ambient food scent can directly influence food choices. Researchers discovered that participants exposed to the smell of unhealthy foods for longer periods were less likely to crave them, opting instead for healthier alternatives.
A new report finds that food companies spend 8 out of 10 dollars on unhealthy snacks and fast food ads targeting Black and Hispanic youth. The study analyzed 32 major food companies' advertising to children and teens in 2017, revealing a lack of healthy product promotion.
A Dartmouth-led study found that displaying calorie information on food images decreases the brain's reward system activation and increases control system activation, making unhealthy foods less appetizing. The results suggest that nutritional interventions should consider consumer motivation, including dieting status.
Researchers found that vice foods with hero labels were more compelling than the same foods shown with villain labels, while healthy foods benefited from villainous labels. In a real-world experiment, consumers were willing to pay more for bottled water and cheese curds when labeled as 'villainous' rather than 'heroic'.
New research suggests that removing sweets from checkouts can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of unhealthy food purchased, with 17% fewer small packages of sugary confectionary and chocolate taken home, and 76% fewer on-the-go purchases made.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that UK supermarkets' checkout food policies led to a 17.3% reduction in small package purchases of sugary foods within four weeks of policy introduction, with a sustained impact over time.
A new study found that implementing strong school nutrition policies is associated with healthier weight trajectories in middle school students. The study, which followed 595 students over three years, found that students from schools with nutrition policy interventions experienced less than a 1% increase in body mass index (BMI), whil...
A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that more than three quarters of French-speaking adults in Quebec fall short of meeting Canada's dietary guidelines. The study suggests that stronger public health policies are needed to support healthier dietary habits and reduce chronic disease risk.
Researchers identified common characteristics among resilient food organizations, including formal emergency planning, staff training, and redundant supply chains. These factors enable the recovery of smaller, less-resourced organizations in crisis situations.
A new report from 130 national academies warns of a catastrophic failure of global food systems, which contribute up to 25% to greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for climate-smart agriculture, incentives for consumers to change their diets, and innovative foods to address the root causes of the failing system.
A growing number of state laws are limiting local governments' ability to create food and nutrition policies, preventing regulation of areas like nutrition labeling and soda taxes. This trend is driven by industry pressure, with businesses using preemption to thwart public health efforts.
Students opt for juice on days it's offered, leading to reduced milk and whole fruit consumption. This substitution results in lower intakes of essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and fiber.
A special issue of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development explores local governments' engagement in food system planning. Key findings include varying levels of government involvement and the need for measuring progress or failure to identify successes and jettison failed policies.
A new study found that listing calorie information on restaurant menus can lead to a significant decrease in the number of calories ordered. Participants who saw calorie counts listed first ordered food with an average of 24 percent fewer calories than those who saw them listed elsewhere.
A new study found that 74% of kids still receive unhealthy drinks and/or side items with their kids' meals from top four restaurant chains. Healthier options like fruit, yogurt, and low-fat milk are available but often not promoted or made easily accessible.
The university's School of Medicine has received a $936,000 grant to develop strategies for more equitable food systems in Cleveland. The project aims to sequence and integrate efforts like supermarket expansion, social marketing campaigns, and emergency food assistance programs to achieve maximum community benefit.
A group of international researchers calls for a comprehensive transformation of food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate. The proposed four-pillar strategy prioritizes nutritious food access, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and rural renaissance.
Researchers found that land sparing, combining high-yield agriculture with preserving natural habitats, stores greater amounts of carbon than other systems. Lower-yield farming practices consistently held more carbon than high-yield farms due to increased area requirements.
A new study estimates that implementing national food policies in schools could lead to a 17-25% increase in fruit consumption, a 15-27% decrease in sugary drink consumption, and a significant impact on long-term health outcomes. The policies are expected to prevent thousands of deaths per year.
A study from the University of Vermont found that mandatory labeling in Vermont improved consumer attitudes toward genetically modified food, with opposition falling by 19%. The simple disclosure reduced fear and increased transparency, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
A new study by researchers from Trinity College Dublin has found that a substantial number of adults over 50 are deficient in vitamin B12 and folate. The prevalence of low or deficient folate status increases with age, and is more common among smokers, the obese, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
A study analyzing WTO trade challenges found 93 regulations were raised over 20 years, with high-income countries challenging 77.4% of low- and middle-income country rules. These challenges can exert pressure on policy makers to design regulations consistent with WTO rules.
Researchers found that children in WIC households ate more fruits and vegetables, while a CDC study assessed local government incentives for healthy food options. Model estimates also show banning trans fats could reduce health disparities and save billions in healthcare costs.
A new study suggests that altering US food consumption patterns could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Households spending more on beef, chicken, and other meats generate higher emissions, while lower-emission diets may disproportionately benefit wealthier households.
A new study found that taxing sweet snacks like chocolate and confectionary could lead to a similar reduction in consumer demand as taxing sugar-sweetened drinks. The research also showed that this approach may have wider effects on purchasing patterns, potentially bringing additional benefits to public health.
The European Academies' Science Advisory Council calls for a 'food systems approach' to address negative impacts of climate change on food systems. The report highlights the need for policy coherence, consumer behavior changes, and technological innovations to improve food sustainability.
A study by the University of Waterloo found that young athletes prefer healthy protein options and value performance and recovery over unhealthy foods. The research suggests that marketing strategies can influence food choices, highlighting the need for nutrition guidelines in recreation facilities.
A new study finds that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, with the amount of wasted food corresponding to harvests produced using 780 million pounds of pesticide and 1.8 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer annually. The study also found that higher quality diets were associated with higher levels of food waste.
A new study highlights the potential health benefits of a US salt reduction strategy, which could prevent 450,000 cardiovascular disease cases over 20 years. The policy aims to reduce sodium intake in processed foods, resulting in significant cost savings for healthcare systems and the economy.