October 10, 2014
By Tracie McMillan The diets of low-income Americans have worsened in the past decade, even as the diets of the wealthiest Americans have improved, according to a new study that is among the first to measure changes in diet quality over time by socioeconomic status. Overall diet quality in the United States remains poor, said […]
Read more >August 27, 2014
Giving low-income families vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables at farmers markets could increase their consumption of these healthy foods, according to a new study. Low-income families tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. In addition to not having adequate access to healthy foods, cost is also an issue. Farmers market vouchers could help address […]
Read more >June 9, 2014
A new infographic from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) draws on the best of RWJF-funded research to show how 30+ million kids in the United States have healthier school meal options than children had 10 years ago. Released June 9, “Healthier School Meals Matter” highlights the positive impact of healthy school meals on kids’ […]
Read more >June 6, 2014
Kids from low-income homes who get less sleep at night may have a higher risk of obesity, a small new study suggests. Researchers from the Rush University Prevention Center examined several potential obesity risk factors — including food intake and screen time — in addition to sleep, and found that sleep duration was the only […]
Read more >March 21, 2014
Access to healthy food can bring triple bottom-line benefits to communities — better health, new jobs, and a revitalized economy. But nearly 30 million Americans still live in low-income areas with limited access to supermarkets. The problem is particularly acute in low-income communities of color. The good news is Congress took steps to expand access […]
Read more >March 7, 2014
By Melissa Healy The logic seems simple enough: The consumption of healthy foods is low and obesity is high in neighborhoods where supermarkets are notably absent; so, opening supermarkets in those neighborhoods should boost consumption of healthier foods and drive down obesity. Right? Not so fast, says the first American study gauging the success of a popular initiative aimed […]
Read more >January 8, 2014
Children and teenagers who spend lots of time in front of screens – especially TVs – tend to gain more weight as they age, according to a new study. The findings are consistent with research suggesting all that idle sitting and exposure to advertisements may fuel poor eating habits… Many parents believe their children are […]
Read more >August 14, 2013
By Lena H. Sun After decades of rising, obesity rates among low-income U.S. preschoolers declined broadly from 2008-2011, according to a federal report released Aug. 6 that offered the first glimpse of good news for children considered among the most vulnerable to the disease’s health risks. While other, smaller studies have cited drops among school-age children, the data released by […]
Read more >