Center for Nutrition & Health Impact

10/28/2025

Diet quality isn’t the same for everyone living with diabetes and food insecurity.

A new study examined adult food pantry clients in Northwest Arkansas with self-identified race/ethnicity of Hispanic, Marshallese Pacific Islander, or White, and found notable differences in diet quality scores across groups. Findings highlight the importance of tailoring nutrition-focused programs around varying dietary intake patterns across communities.

Check it out in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior JNEB: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40810710/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_wydhyuosrl

Authors include: Eliza Short, Ji Li, James P Selig, Kelsey Bounds, Alexandra Diaz-Cruz, Brett Rowland, Holly C. Felix, Krista Langston, Pearl A. McElfish, and Christpher R. Long.

10/27/2025

is officially underway! American Public Health Association

The CNHI team is looking forward to an amazing week in Washington, D.C connecting with brilliant public health experts from around the world 🌎

We hope you'll stop by one or more of the following events:

➡️ Center for Nutrition & Health Impact Booth #1539 with Leah Carpenter and Tony Gargano.

➡️ Grace Stott — "Built environment adaptations for people with intellectual disabilities," featuring Dr. Laura Balis and Shelly Palmer as co-authors. • Sunday, November 2 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

➡️ Grace Stott — "Findings from the Evaluation of the Chef Ann Foundation’s Get Schools Cooking Program: Cohort 4 (2019-2024)," featuring Leah Carpenter, Megan McManus, and Reece Lyerly as co-authors. • Sunday, November 2 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

➡️ Dr. Victoria Zigmont — "Food & Nutrition Lightning Round: Food Insecurity," Dr. Zigmont moderating along with Dr. Mary Larson. • Sunday, November 2 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

➡️ Dr. Victoria Zigmont — "Food & Nutrition Roundtable: Nutrition Security and Fruit and Vegetable Intake Differences by Federal Nutrition Program Participation Among Patients Enrolled in Food as Medicine Programs Across the US," featuring Dr. Zigmont as the presenter along with co-authors Dr. Eliza Short, Laura Flournoy, Ashleigh Floyd Clark, Maryan Isack, Gabi Talavera Dr. Eric Calloway, and others from Feeding America. • Monday, November 3 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

➡️ Grace Stott — "Reflections on a community-engaged evaluation design approach for a statewide food security initiative," including Dr. Cassandra Johnson, Dr. Amy Yaroch, Dr. Eric Calloway, Clare Milburn Atkinson, Katie Nelson, and others as co-authors. • Tuesday, November 4 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

➡️ Dr. Victoria Zigmont — "State and Local Programs, Recommendations, and Policy: Food is Medicine" presented by Melissa Maitin-Shepard, including Dr. Zigmont as a co-author. • Tuesday, November 4 from 4:30 - 4:45 p.m.

➡️ Dr. Laura Balis — "Policies and Dissemination and Implementation strategies to Increase Population Physical Activity," Dr. Balis moderating along with Dr. Jennifer Salinas. • Wednesday, November 5 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Onsite registration is available through Nov 5!

See more information at the link: https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/apha-2025-annual-meeting?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_uv2fnrpxl2

10/27/2025

We are proud to re-share this spotlight on Dr. Victoria Zigmont, Health Services Research Scientist at CNHI and dedicated volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Celebrating Victoria in all that she does to make a difference!

Meet Vicki, one of our incredible volunteers! She first joined Second Harvest on Saturdays, spending weekends helping in Cold Sort, Dry Sort, and the Market—always going above and beyond to lend a hand wherever she was needed.

Her dedication led her to our Skilled Volunteer Program, where she now uses her professional expertise as a Health Services Research Scientist at the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact to strengthen our Food Is Medicine initiative. Vicki helped design the research and evaluation strategy that measures how this program improves hospital use, health outcomes, and overall well-being for the neighbors we serve.

Even with her added responsibilities as a skilled volunteer, Vicki still finds time to roll up her sleeves in the warehouse each week to help get food to our neighbors. 💚

We’re grateful for volunteers like Vicki who share their time, skills, and passion to make Second Harvest stronger and create lasting impact in our community.

Want to make a difference like Vicki? Sign up for a volunteer shift here: https://bit.ly/440XZuO

10/22/2025

How do early life environments shape the way we eat a decade later?

Exploring that question, researchers conducted a longitudinal study following children from preschool into adolescence to explore how early deprivation and unpredictability relate to diet quality and eating behaviors years down the line.

Findings show that early deprivation was linked to higher caloric intake and greater emotional eating, while early unpredictability was linked to lower caloric intake. These results highlight early-life factors as important targets for prevention and intervention strategies to support healthier eating during adolescence.

Check out the study, published in Appetite: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40882821/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_nqhvksc2ph

Authors include: Emily Goldberg, Rebecca L. Brock, Amy L. Yaroch, Jennie L. Hill, W. Alex Mason, Jennifer M. Nelson, Dr. Kimberly A. Espy, and Timothy D. Nelson.

10/20/2025

Mark your calendars this week for an upcoming Work in Progress Meeting hosted by the University of Montana Center for Population Health research (CPHR) featuring CNHI's Principal Research Scientist Dr. Carmen Byker Shanks!

In a rapidly changing public health landscape, where policies, funding, and practices shift faster than ever, professionals are challenged to make decisions grounded in evidence, with adaptability, and with purpose. Using the debate between promoting whole foods and reducing ultra-processed foods as a case study, Dr. Byker Shanks will share actionable strategies for choosing a public health approach to create positive impact in communities and systems.

Join in person or on Zoom this Thursday, October 23rd at 12:00 p.m. MT—the meeting is located at University of Montana in Skaggs 336 and lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. If you can't make it there in person, no worries! You are welcome to join via Zoom!

Zoom link: https://umontana.zoom.us/j/91877284929?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_i7zyqvxzw9
RSVP link (for in-person attendees): https://umt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1XIn9aCiQ8eHqrc?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_uizngzcuzp

We hope to see you there!

10/20/2025

Can you guess what produce is celebrated nationally in October? That's right, it's the mighty pumpkin!

This National Pumpkin Month, we encourage you to explore all that pumpkins have to offer. Whether you take a walk through a pumpkin patch with family or friends—a great way to get moving—or enjoy their nutritional benefits. Pumpkins are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and fiber, not to mention antioxidants. Even the seeds have benefits! Try them roasted for a healthy snack.

How will you celebrate the season? With a pumpkin at your doorstep, we hope! 🎃

10/16/2025

CNHI presented at the National WIC Association 2025 Technology, Innovation, and Vendor Management Conference in Minneapolis, MN.

Senior Research Scientist Dr. Lisa Akers led a General Session titled: “WIC Online Shopping: Technical Lessons Learned from Planning and Implementation,” followed by a panel discussion with representatives from three WIC State agencies: Mary Blocksidge of Massachusetts WIC, Wendy Speaect of South Dakota WIC, and Josh Newhouse of JPMA representing Nevada WIC.

We were grateful to share the stage with these leaders and exchange insights on the future of WIC online shopping—check out some highlights from the event!

10/14/2025

Last month, CNHI Research Associate Nuha Hossain attended the 2025 Texas Sophe (TSOPHE) Conference Sept 26-27. This year's theme was, "Embracing Change for Health & Wellness: Solutions to Strengthen Health Education & Promotion." The conference brought together experts and innovators, and provided hands-on workshops and sessions geared toward collaboration and curiosity.

Nuha presented a poster from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) titled "GusNIP Community Voices Initiative: Redesigning Evaluation with Resident Voices." The presentation covered the program itself and centered on GusNIP resident perspectives in a new study method that will utilize Facebook groups to better reach participants. Nutrition Incentive Hub

Did you attend the conference? Let us know your favorite session below!

10/08/2025

What are participants and practitioners saying about nutrition incentive (NI) and produce prescription (PPR) programs?

In a new scoping review, researchers synthesized findings from 49 qualitative studies, highlighting common benefits, barriers, and recommendations for NI and PPR programs across the U.S. Results emphasize the importance of strong partnerships, resource alignment, and tailored stakeholder support for program success.

Read the full study in Nutrition Reviews: https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf150?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_6u8ra2pkt5

Authors include: Courtney A. Parks, Sarah A. Stotz, Ashleigh Floyd Clark, Hollyanne E. Fricke, Carmen Byker Shanks, Kristen DeSanto, and Amy L. Yaroch.

10/06/2025

On August 26, CNHI Research Scientist Dr. Whitney Fung Uy joined Florida food systems leaders, farmers, and advocates to explore solutions for a more resilient local food future at Feeding Change: A Symposium Gathering for Local Food Leaders.

The event, hosted by the Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG) in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, featured breakout sessions on issues like land access for farmers, along with valuable networking opportunities.

Following the conference, on September 10, 2025, Dr. Fung Uy attended a Southwest Florida Farmer Network Meeting to build connections with local farmers and food system partners. The meeting took place at the ECHO North America Impact Center, where participants toured and learned about sustainable farming. Workshop sessions engaged participants in discussions on agroecology, community food security, and resources needed by farmers.

At the ECHO farm, participants learned about different sustainable farming techniques suitable for various climates around the world. Photo #1 shows a keyhole garden, which is a circular raised garden that can incorporate space for composting and is designed to be accessible for people of different heights and abilities.

09/24/2025

In a new qualitative study, CNHI researchers explored the factors that help community-based programs sustain impact once initial funding ends.

This study explores the barriers and facilitators to program evaluation and dissemination. Findings point to the need for ongoing technical assistance and peer support to build evaluation capacity and sustain programs long-term.

Access the study in Health Promotion Practice: https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399251362163?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_lso3tpe5a2

Authors include: Dr. Laura E. Balis, Shelly Palmer, Maryan Isack, and Dr. Amy L. Yaroch.



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Balis LE, Palmer S, Isack M, Yaroch AL. Barriers and Facilitators to Program Evaluation and Dissemination: A Qualitative Study to Inform Implementation Strategies. Health Promotion Practice. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/15248399251362163

09/16/2025

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Image featuring Dr. Emily Duffy presenting at the 2025 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) Annual Conference.