UConn Cookie Information

We assessed the association between child-directed marketing on product packages and the nutrition quality of children’s foods offered by companies in the US Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) industry self-regulatory program.

Products with unhealthy Nutrition Profiling Index scores had significantly more child-directed features (e.g., cartoon images, brand characters, cause-related promotions, games) (mean = 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.6−4.3) than healthy products (2.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.3−3.6). Products not meeting CFBAI nutrition criteria for products that may be advertised to children averaged 3.4 child-directed features.

Overall, child-directed marketing features were prevalent on product packaging, including among products that do not meet companies’ own nutrition criteria for healthier choices for children. These findings support strengthening CFBAI guidelines and/or considering government regulations to limit child-directed marketing of less healthy products on packaging.

Full Citation: Jensen, M. L., Fleming-Milici, F., & Harris, J. L. (2026). Child-directed marketing on product packages of sweet snacks, cereals, and yogurts: Content analysis and association with Nutrition Quality. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2026.04.018

Family-based weight teasing is a common and harmful experience among adolescents. However, most research treats the family as a unitary source, with little examination of how weight stigma manifests from different family members. This study examined associations between weight teasing from 11 types of family members with adolescents’ weight bias internalization (WBI), body appreciation, binge eating with loss of control (BE-LOC) and overeating, and unhealthy weight control behaviors.

A national sample of 1,073 U.S. adolescents (ages 10–17) completed online questionnaires. Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions assessed the incremental predictive value of weight teasing from parents, stepparents, siblings, and extended family, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Weight teasing from female relatives—mothers, sisters, stepmothers, aunts, and cousins—was consistently associated with negative adolescent outcomes, including elevated WBI, lower body appreciation, and increased disordered eating. Adolescents with normative body mass index (5th–84.9th percentile) reported the highest rates of family teasing. Teasing from male relatives (e.g., fathers, brothers, grandparents) showed weaker or inconsistent associations.

Full Citation: Wu, R., Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L., Cardel, M., Foster, G.D. (2026). Family sources of weight teasing and associations with adolescents’ unhealthy eating behaviors, weight bias internalization, and body appreciation. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsag030

Weight-related teasing from family members is a common experience for adolescents, yet little research has examined how teasing from specific relatives uniquely affects youth health and well-being. Now, a new study from the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health is shedding light on how weight teasing from different family members relates to adolescents’ eating behaviors, body image, and internalized weight stigma.

Using data from a national sample of 1,073 U.S. adolescents ages 10 to 17, researchers examined associations between weight teasing from 11 distinct family members and a range of adolescent health outcomes, including binge eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, body appreciation, and internalized weight bias. Specific family members examined in the study include parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Study findings, published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, reveal that weight teasing from female relatives was consistently associated with more harmful outcomes for adolescents, while teasing from male relatives showed less consistent patterns.

College students face increased risks of food and nutrition insecurity, yet the issue is understudied. This study examined the patterns of food and nutrition insecurity among students at a public university across main and regional campuses. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics for participant recruitment in November 2023. Food insecurity was measured using the USDA’s 10-item tool and housing security was measured using the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Survey of Income and Program Participation 6-item tool.

There were 6538 student responses. Of these, 36% of students were food insecure, while 20% were nutritionally insecure. Comparatively, food and nutrition insecurity were significantly higher among students with low-income, housing instability, a higher number of dependents, and those indicating that they were single/unmarried, first-generation, and Pell grant eligible. Annual income and housing security emerged as significant predictors: lower income was approximately twice as likely to be associated with food insecurity, while those reporting housing insecurity were six times more likely to experience food insecurity. The study findings reveal disparities in food and nutrition insecurity among a diverse student population at a public university. Addressing the issue among them is crucial and requires a multifaceted, inclusive approach. Emergency financial assistance and structural interventions that promote housing security are warranted.

Full Citation: Niroula, K., Abdul Razak, S., Kalinowski, J., Blackman Carr, L. T., Gorin, A., & Cooksey Stowers, K. (2026). Understanding Food and Nutrition Insecurity Among College Students: Evidence from a Cross-Campus Study. Nutrients, 18(6), 951. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060951

The purpose of written school wellness policies is to ensure that school meal sponsors have a comprehensive plan to support student health. Current federal regulations require all sponsors of the federal meal programs to create a committee of key stakeholders and write a policy addressing multiple health promotion domains. These include nutrition education; school meals; food sold or served outside of school meals; physical education; opportunities for additional physical activity; limiting unhealthy food marketing; and a plan to review and revise the policy at regular intervals.

This report summarizes the results from the triennial assessments of over 150 school meal sponsors in Connecticut. Sponsors’ WellSAT Policy and Practice scores were used to assess their policy strength and level of implementation.

Suggested Citation: McCauley, P., Prentiss, C., Fisher, N., Zevallos, A., Hardee, C., McKee, S., & Schwartz, M. (2026). Evaluating School Wellness Policies Using the WellSAT: Triennial Assessment Report. UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. https://uconnruddcenter.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2909/2026/08/WellSAT-Triennial-Assessment-Report-2026.pdf

Interventions addressing racial and ethnic obesity inequities have lower effectiveness in Black adults. Previous literature linking the neighborhood environment to obesity inequities relies on limited food environment measures. Thus, we conducted semi-structured interviews to assess neighborhood-level barriers and facilitators to health behaviors among ethnically diverse Black adults (n = 24). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis (kappa = 0.70- 0.93; IRR = 83%). Participants reported barriers in the food (cost, transportation, high unhealthy food access) and physical activity environment (safety concerns). Facilitators included community food resources and access to safe areas for physical activity. These results may inform future research and weight loss programs for diverse Black adults.

Full Citation: Anderson, R., Killion, K., Idiong, C. I., Antrum, C., Abdul-Razak, S., Raja, S., Niroula, K., Ray, S., Puglisi, M., Kalinowski, J., Carr, L. T., & Cooksey Stowers, K. (2026). Perceived neighborhood-level assets and barriers to weight-related behaviors among ethnically diverse black adults. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-025-02711-3

Suboptimal breastfeeding in the U.S. carries substantial health and economic costs and is marked by persistent disparities. The 2022 formula shortage coincided with disruptions in infant feeding practices. This study documents changes in breastfeeding during the shortage period and projects associated infant illness and healthcare costs. Using 2017–2022 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data, we applied Bayesian structural time-series models to estimate deviations in breastfeeding initiation and duration during the shortage period relative to prior trends. We then used Monte Carlo simulation to project infant illness and healthcare costs.

During the 2022 formula shortage, breastfeeding for at least four months was higher by 3.43 percentage points (95% credible interval [CrI]: 1.11, 5.74). Breastfeeding at one, two, and three months postpartum was 2.49 to 3.55 percentage points higher, and initiation was higher by 1.54 percentage points (95% CrI: 0.46, 2.59). Estimates varied across sociodemographic groups and were larger among less advantaged mothers, corresponding with smaller observed breastfeeding disparities. The simulation projects annual healthcare costs approximately $420 million lower. In conclusion, during the formula shortage, groups with historically lower breastfeeding rates exhibited higher breastfeeding levels, highlighting the relevance of breastfeeding trends for discussions of infant disease and healthcare costs.

Full Citation: Seoane Estruel, L., & Andreyeva, T. (2026). Breastfeeding patterns during the 2022 United States infant formula shortage and projected infant healthcare costs. Preventive Medicine, 108503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2026.108503.