Focus
Our research and outreach efforts focus on developing, implementing, and evaluating school- and family-based interventions to effectively address childhood obesity and promote healthy habit development. Areas of emphasis include:
- experiential education to enhance children’s cooking skills and exposure to and preferences for fruits and vegetables
- behavioral economic strategies to enhance students’ selection and consumption of healthful meal choices and reduce food waste in the cafeteria
- evidence-based programs to encourage children’s active play
- equipping families, teachers, and nutrition services staff with training and tools to improve and extend the reach of school-based programs
- prepare graduate students for leadership roles in maternal and child health nutrition through education, policy/advocacy projects, and interacting with Maternal and Child Health leaders
- provide research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students
