Center for Nutrition & Health Impact

04/22/2026

Earth Day is a reminder that your food choices matter for you and the planet. 🌎

According to the United Nations, about one third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food, with animal-based foods contributing the most.

This , add a plant-based meal to your routine. Small changes can make a big difference for your health and the environment.

Explore how food impacts climate: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_p89nodcx61"

04/21/2026

Check out a new CNHI Publication!

New research highlights a “triple threat” impacting breastfeeding among families in the U.S.; COVID-19 precautions, limited access to lactation support, and the infant formula shortage. This study found that access to lactation support in the hospital was the strongest predictor of breastfeeding duration, underscoring how critical these services are, especially in a crisis.

Read the full study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10995-026-04237-4?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_op4fbg1d0d

Authors from the Center include: Dr. Lisa Akers, along with Dr. Elizabeth Kar and Savanna Westrom.



Kar E, Akers L, Westrom S. Triple Threat or Mere Inconvenience? Exploring the Effect of COVID-19 Precautions, Lack of Access to Lactation Care, and the Infant Formula Shortage on Breastfeeding Behavior of Parents in the Midwest of the United States. Matern Child Health J. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-026-04237-4?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_mp1aydnjv9

04/13/2026

This , we are excited to share a qualitative study from late 2025 about active transportation practices and barriers among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and how the built environment around us can better support inclusive physical activity for all users.

Read the full study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12982-025-01127-y?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_ysza6dwzlf

Authors from the Center include: Dr. Laura Balis, Grace Stott, and Shelly Palmer, along with Dr. Debra L Brucker from University of New Hampshire.



Balis LE, Stott G, Palmer S, Brucker DL. Active transportation practices and preferences among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a qualitative study. Discover Public Health. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-01127-y?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_jzrguzeq0y

04/09/2026

CNHI is continuing to grow its Board of Directors, bringing in new leadership to help shape the organization’s strategic direction.

Meet Eileen Hyde, a specialist in all things community engagement with a background in community-rooted public health program leadership at local, national, and global levels.

Get to know Eileen’s background and the perspective she brings to CNHI’s work in our upcoming newsletter: https://www.centerfornutrition.org/newsletter?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_pmrazrqm9r

04/08/2026

CNHI recently expanded its Board of Directors, adding new leadership to help guide the organization’s strategic direction.

Meet Abby Manishor, a communications and media relations leader bringing a perspective rooted in nonprofit media relations and strategic communications.

Learn more about Abby's professional background and what she brings to CNHI’s work in our upcoming newsletter: https://www.centerfornutrition.org/newsletter?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_ahkxv2b2oh

04/07/2026

Did you know April is Move More Month? 👟

At the Center, we know nutritional wellbeing goes beyond food. It's also about staying active and building sustainable habits.

Start to by exploring these helpful tips and tools from the American Heart Association: http://bit.ly/41NYnuC?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_sl1wmfewjm

04/07/2026

Measuring food security across six dimensions helps communities see the full picture. New collaborative resources linked in the post below!

Access, Agency, Availability, Sustainability, Stability and Utilization – OFSA’s multisector partners across the state recognize the six dimensions of food security by name.

A first-of-its-kind set of measures developed by Center for Nutrition & Health Impact and NJ OFSA helps local leaders recognize the dimensions by the numbers in their own communities and establish a baseline for tracking future progress in their food security work. Now, a new interactive dashboard by Trenton Health Team, Inc. is publicly available so communities can visualize geographic and demographic differences among the data across five of the six dimensions.

Browse the interactive dashboard, the Executive Summary and the full report: https://nj.gov/foodsecurity/food-security/resource-library/approved/exploring-the-six-dimensions-of-food-security-in-new-jersey.shtml

03/27/2026

Next week, the CNHI team will be stepping away from our desks and meeting up in-person!

We're looking forward to the opportunity to reflect and celebrate with one another, and recharge for the continued work ahead.

See you soon with a recap and photos once we are back!

03/24/2026

Today is the International Day of Zero Waste, led by the UN Environment Programme and UN-HABITAT.

Nature consistently reminds us that ecosystems operate in cycles and nothing is wasted. Today, we ask ourselves: what if our systems could work the same way?

From individual actions to city-wide and national strategies, there are solutions to reduce waste and shift toward more sustainable production and consumption.

Explore the link below and see what zero waste could look like in your sector.

International Day of Zero Waste:
https://www.unep.org/events/un-day/international-day-zero-waste-2026?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_f69lhdxy3a

03/20/2026

We are looking forward to sharing our Spring Newsletter partner feature; uniquely, the issue will include perspectives from two new CNHI thought leaders working with our team to help shape stratetic direction, bring innovative planning and ideas to the table, and strengthen partnerships. More coming soon—don't miss out!

Subscribe below:

The CNHI electronic newsletter overviews the programs we’re evaluating, the services we offer our partners, and much more!

03/18/2026

Adolescence is a critical period for both developing dietary patterns and for brain development. CNHI CEO, Dr. Amy Yaroch continues to collaborate with Dr. Tim Nelson and his team at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A new study from this team finds that stronger executive control skills in teens predict higher fruit and vegetable intake one year later. 🎈

These findings suggest executive control may be a promising intervention target to support healthier eating behaviors during adolescence.

Read the full article here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12704826/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_krbmoqcv8h

Authors include: Thilges H, Phillips EM, Goldberg EL, Brock RL, Kidwell KM, Yaroch AL, Hill JL, Andrews Espy K, Mize Nelson J, Mason WA, Nelson TD.


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Thilges H, Phillips EM, Goldberg EL, Brock RL, Kidwell KM, Yaroch AL, Hill JL, Espy KA, Nelson JM, Mason WA, Nelson TD. Evaluating bidirectional, longitudinal associations between adolescent executive control and eating behaviors. Appetite, Volume 218. 1 March 2026.

03/13/2026

Calling mid-career researchers! 📣

The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity is now accepting applications for the Building Future Leaders Program: an online leadership development opportunity designed for researchers ready to strengthen their leadership skills and expand their global network.

The program runs May–November 2026 and includes interactive workshops, mentoring, and coaching led by Hugh Kearns of iThinkWell.

Applications close Friday, March 20, 2026!

Interested? Click the link below to apply: https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_3aCLKHkqTaAqBF4?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_lcssjirped