UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health

01/07/2025

: Last month, the Rudd Center attended "Moving Beyond Implications: Research Into Policy" - a conference co-hosted by UConn's Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention & Policy and the Scholars Strategy Network. At the event:

- Fran Fleming-Milici spoke about energy drink regulation to protect youth from harmful beverages
- Marlene Schwartz shared her research on the benefits of universal free school meals
- Members of the CT WSCC partnership presented about supporting the whole child for better educational outcomes

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gPkabq

01/06/2025

In some doctors' offices, the weigh-in is no longer required.

Experts warn that asking patients to step on a scale at every medical appointment may contribute to weight stigma and discourage people from seeking care.

Learn more about how providers can move from "weight-centric" to "weight-inclusive" healthcare: https://nyti.ms/3DG2gcr

Additionally, you can find more information about weight stigma in healthcare on our website: https://bit.ly/40lmnoV

It may be a longstanding practice, but critics say routine weight measurements are driving some patients away from care.

01/02/2025

: During the 2022 infant formula crisis, average breastfeeding-initiation rates increased by 1.96% and remained elevated above historical levels. Further, preexisting disparities in breastfeeding initiation declined in 2022.

Learn more in a new report from Luis Seoane Estruel and Tatiana Andreyeva: https://bit.ly/3VZSZSE

12/23/2024

: Last month, Marlene Schwartz spoke on a panel about food insecurity in Connecticut hosted by the CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity.

Following the event, she spoke with UConn Today about how food and nutrition security are defined, what support systems are in place for CT families, and more.

Learn more:

Speakers at the Hartford event discussed strategies to help families across the state facing food and nutrition insecurity.

12/19/2024

: The FDA is cracking down on which food products can be marketed as "healthy".

While this may help consumers decipher which products are more nutritious, Fran Fleming-Milici recommends that shoppers continue to check nutrition labels to see if items meet their dietary needs.

Learn more from NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-healthy-food-packaging-ruling-rcna184534

What does “healthy” mean? New guidelines for food labels focus on what we should eat, instead of what we shouldn't.

12/18/2024

Food and beverage companies spend billions on marketing directed at children, predominantly promoting calorie-dense products high in sugar, fat, and sodium.

In "Digital Food Marketing and Children's Health and Well-being", researchers outline the harmful effects of exposure to junk food marketing and discuss how this space has transformed over the last 20 years.

This chapter, co-authored by Jennifer Harris, Fran Fleming-Milici, Ashley Gearhardt, Sonya A. Grier, Kathryn Montgomery, Maria Jose Romo-Palafox, and Mimi Tatlow-Golden, is part of the new "Handbook of Children and Screens" edited by Dimitri Christakis and Lauren Hale.

With the support of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, this handbook is available free at: bit.ly/handbook-of-children-and-screens

12/16/2024

Last week, the Rudd Center team attended the "Moving Beyond Implications" conference in Hartford! Co-hosted by the UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy and the CT Scholars Strategy Network, the event brought together researchers and policymakers from around the state.

At the conference:

- Fran Fleming-Milici presented about energy drink regulation to protect youth from harmful products (https://bit.ly/41DSr8G)
- Marlene Schwartz presented about the benefits of universal free school meals (https://bit.ly/4ggHn5N)
- Our friends at the UConn Collaboratory on School and Child Health presented about the ongoing WSCC partnership

Special thanks to State Representative Jaime Foster (a former Rudd Postdoc!), State Representative Dominique Johnson, and Kerri Raissian for leading this incredible event!

(Photo credit: Danielle Faipler)

12/10/2024

We are excited to announce that Marlene Schwartz is one of the 7 new Healthy Eating Research grantees! Her project aims to update and synchronize the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT) and the CDC’s School Health Index (SHI).

The other grantees are:

- Catherine Yepez and Shannon E. Whaley (PHFE WIC Program)
- Susan Gross (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- Lorrene Ritchie (Nutrition Policy Institute)
- Bonnie Solomon (Child Trends)
- Emily Gutierrez (Urban Institute)
- Gabby Headrick (Milken Institute School of Public Health)

Congratulations to all of the researchers! 🎉

Learn more about the 7 projects here: https://bit.ly/3VxaU2J

12/09/2024

Last week, Dr. Alexandria Forte visited the Rudd Center to discuss how food insecurity impacts the health and well-being of minoritized youth.

As an Assistant Professor at the UConn School of Social Work, Dr. Forte explores the complex intersections between food access, nutrition, and social equity and how these experiences are measured.

Thank you for joining us!

12/06/2024

Our 2024 Spotify Wrapped just dropped! ✨🍏

12/05/2024

: Fran Fleming-Milici's research on targeted food marketing to children is featured in RWJFoundation's new "State of Childhood Obesity" report.

The report highlights eight researchers using their work to reduce barriers to health.

Explore more here: bit.ly/3Vq7wGX

12/03/2024

Last month, Marlene Schwartz was featured on a panel about food insecurity in Connecticut.

Following the event, she spoke with UConn Today about how food and nutrition security are defined, what support systems are in place for CT families, and more.

Read the full interview here:

Speakers at the Hartford event discussed strategies to help families across the state facing food and nutrition insecurity.