Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity
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General FAQ for the Rudd Center

  1. What is the purpose of the Rudd Center?
  2. Why is obesity such a pressing issue?
  3. How is the Rudd Center funded?
  4. Where can I find research conducted by the Rudd Center?
  5. Are there other centers with similar agendas as the Rudd Center?
  6. Where does the Rudd Center see itself in 10 years?
  7. How can I get involved with the Rudd Center?

1. What is the purpose of the Rudd Center?

The Rudd Center seeks to improve the world’s diet, prevent obesity, and reduce weight stigma by establishing creative connections between science and public policy, developing targeted research, encouraging frank dialogue among key constituents, and expressing a dedicated commitment to real change. It is a leader in building broad-based consensus to change diet and activity patterns, while holding industry and government agencies responsible for safeguarding public health.

The Rudd Center assesses, critiques, and strives to improve practices and policies related to nutrition and obesity so as to inform and empower the public, to promote objective, science-based approaches to policy, and to maximize the impact on public health. The Rudd Center conducts cutting-edge research and acts as a clearinghouse for resources that add to our understanding of the complex forces affecting how we eat, how we stigmatize overweight and obese people, and how we can change.

2. Why is obesity such a pressing issue?

The rate of obesity has been rising rapidly in the U.S. and abroad, and for the first time in history, this generation of children may live a shorter life than their parents. Overnutrition and obesity now surpass undernourishment as the world’s leading food and nutrition problem. Obesity-related illnesses cost the United States $117 billion in 2000, and the bill will only grow as more Americans continue to gain weight. Adult onset diabetes is now referred to as type-2 diabetes, as many children are now developing this disease as a result of being overweight or obese. Doctors are reporting other typically adult-related diseases in overweight children, such as arthritis, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Being overweight as a child increases the probability of remaining overweight as an adult, so naturally, many doctors worry about the future health of today’s children and how our already-burdened health system will cope with them.

Obesity is not only a physical problem, but acts as a target for stigmatization which makes obese and overweight individuals vulnerable to additional emotional, social and physical health consequences.

3. How is the Rudd Center funded?

Leslie Rudd is the co-founder and benefactor of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, which he co-founded in 2005 with Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D. The Rudd Center represents a significant expansion and extension of work on bias, stigma, and obesity which the Rudd Foundation has supported since 2000. For more information about how the Rudd Center is funded, please see our funding guidelines.

4. Where can I find research conducted by the Rudd Center?

Follow the links below for information about projects regarding:

5. Are there other centers with similar agendas as the Rudd Center?

While obesity has been gaining more attention in recent years, few organizations have emerged to confront obesity as dynamically as the Rudd Center. Several other institutions address important aspects of obesity such as food availability and sustainability, obesity treatment and prevention, community wellness programs, and school nutrition and physical fitness programs:

California Food Policy Advocates
CFPA’s Food Quality Team advocates for public policies that maximize the obesity-prevention potential of the federal food programs.
http://www.cfpa.net/obesity/FoodQuality&Obesity.htm

NIH Obesity Research
The NIH is seeking to capitalize on recent scientific discoveries to propel new efforts towards further understanding the forces contributing to obesity and towards developing strategies for prevention and treatment.
http://obesityresearch.nih.gov/about/about.htm

The University of Washington Exploratory Center for Obesity Research
The Exploratory Center for Obesity Research (ECOR) at the University of Washington (UW) is facilitating interdisciplinary research that addresses biomedical, social, economic, and environmental aspects of obesity. ECOR's objective is to advance science and improve health by aligning research aims with local, state, and national policy objectives. The Center's long-term goal is to translate research results into evidence-based strategies for obesity prevention and treatment.
http://depts.washington.edu/uwecor/about/

6. Where does the Rudd Center see itself in 10 years?

In the future, the Rudd Center will serve as a premier forum for constructive conversation between key industry leaders and policy makers. We will strive to continue conducting innovative research about obesity and stigma; forming novel and effective solutions to combat obesity and weight stigma; and creating a profound and widespread impact on public health and policy.

7. How can I get involved with the Rudd Center?

There are several ways in which you can become involved in the exciting projects at the Rudd Center. You can add yourself to our mailing list and receive our monthly newsletter. The Rudd Center blog, Rudd Sound Bites, is a great way to share your thoughts and discuss current obesity and food policy news with other interested parties. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend our guest speaker seminar series. We also welcome student interns to work on research projects with our graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. You may email us about volunteer opportunities, and check our employment page for other available positions.