National Food Policy Programs Improve Access to Healthy Foods
Access to healthy food in underserved communities has improved significantly after changes in federal nutrition and food assistance programs, according to a study by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. Published in the June, 2012, issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the study shows that the revisions in food packages for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have increased the availability and variety of healthy foods in WIC-authorized and non-WIC convenience and grocery stores.
Revising Sugar Labeling Requirements to Inform and Protect Consumers
Citing evidence showing that consumers have little guidance to help them make informed choices about added sugar, Yale Rudd Center’s Director of Legal Initiatives, Jennifer Pomeranz, argues that putting more information about sugar on food packages is necessary, achievable, and overdue, in an article published in First Look of the American Journal of Public Health.
Strong Wellness Policies Improve Connecticut School Environments
Strong written school wellness policies lead to better food and more physical activity in schools, according to a study by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. Published in the Journal of School Health, the study found that districts with strong and clearly written school wellness policies are more likely to actually implement better nutrition education, higher nutrition standards for school meals and other food at school, and more opportunities for physical activity.
Institute of Medicine Report Aims to Accelerate Progress in Obesity Prevention
The Institute of Medicine recently released a report that outlines strategies for addressing the obesity epidemic. The report, Accelerating Progress on Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation, was released at the Weight of the Nation Conference hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and highlights five key goals for reversing the epidemic.
Rudd Center Featured in HBO Series on Obesity Crisis
Rudd Center researchers will be featured in a multi-part series on HBO that addresses the national obesity epidemic. Kelly Brownell, PhD, Director; Marlene Schwartz, PhD, Deputy Director; Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Director of Research and Weight Stigma Initiatives; and Jennifer Harris, PhD, Director of Marketing Initiatives, will join other notable names in obesity research and prevention to discuss one of the nation’s most pressing health issues and offer practical but far-reaching solutions. The series, The Weight of the Nation, premieres on Monday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 15. Read more.
PepsiCo Imposes an Employee Sin Tax
PepsiCo charges its employees $50 a month if they smoke or have obesity-related medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure as part of a wellness program initiated several years ago.
"Pepsi's policy is highly discriminatory and unfairly singles out people affected by obesity. This is also an unfortunate example of a company making products that can be harmful to health and then blaming the people who are suffering the harm. A parallel would be Philip Morris charging fees to their employees who smoke cigarettes,” says Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Rudd Center Director of Research and Weight Stigma Initiatives.
