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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

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.

Environmental cues can guide behavior, which in substance use disorders contributes to maladaptive outcomes. Currently, ultra-processed food (UPF) cues dominate food environments, and growing evidence suggests that their consumption may share characteristics with substance use disorders. The attribution of heightened incentive salience to food cues relative to other highly rewarding stimuli has been linked to food addiction (FA). Here, we investigate whether FA is specifically associated with greater incentive salience for UPF. A remote version of the normative rating procedure for the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) was conducted with 212 Brazilians. The arousal dimension of emotion was used as an index of incentive salience and was assessed through the Self-Assessment Manikin scale. We presented 70 pictures from the IAPS (from various emotion categories, including erotic cues due to their rewarding properties) and an additional set of 11 UPF and 11 unprocessed or minimally processed foods (UMPF) pictures. The modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 was applied to assess FA. Results indicated that both groups of individuals (with and without FA) attributed greater incentive salience to UPF cues than to UMPF cues. However, only individuals with FA attributed similar incentive salience to UPF and erotic cues. These findings highlight the significance of UPF in the development of FA and could support public policies aimed at overcoming the appealing and potentially addictive aspects of UPF.

Full Citation: Lemos, T. C., Coutinho, G. M., Khandpur, N., Gombi-Vaca, M. F., Volchan, E., Mata-Martín, J. L., & David, I. A. (2026). ‘I can’t resist’: Incentive salience for ultra-processed food cues matches erotic cues in individuals with food addiction. Food Quality and Preference, 139, 105866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2026.105866

Food pantries are critical for addressing food insecurity, but dietary quality of food offered by pantries and selected by clients is often low. Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) is an evidence-based nutrition labelling strategy (eg, green=choose often; red=choose rarely) that has not been adopted widely due to implementation barriers. Behavioural economics (BE) strategies could help overcome these barriers.

The Be Well Study is testing a multicomponent BE intervention to increase implementation of SWAP in a 12-month cluster randomised controlled trial in 30 pantries affiliated with a large food bank in eastern Massachusetts. Intervention pantries received the BE-enhanced SWAP implementation strategy including: SWAP toolkits, SWAP invoice labelling, dietitian-led learning communities, implementation incentives and the opportunity to earn a seal of approval. Control pantries received basic SWAP information and invoice labelling. Outcomes are assessed at the pantry (n=30) and client (n=3750) levels using pantry audits, food bank ordering data, client surveys and client basket audits and include changes from baseline to 6 and 12 (primary) months in: SWAP implementation, percent green-labelled foods ordered by pantries and selected by clients, and client dietary quality. Be Well is testing strategies to overcome implementation barriers for healthy eating interventions in the charitable food system. Findings will inform future interventions to support pantry clients’ selection and consumption of healthier food.

Leveraging a natural policy variation in state-level USM implementation, we surveyed 1066 middle and high school students from eight US states (four with USM, four without) during the 2022–2023 school year. Stigma was measured as self-reported embarrassment about eating school lunch. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the associations between USM, embarrassment, and lunch participation.

Overall about one in nine students (11.5%) across all surveyed states reported embarrassment, which was associated with 11% less frequent (aRR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.97). School lunch participation overall, especially among those from low-income families. While USM was associated with lower odds of embarrassment among students from low-income families, higher-income students in USM states were more likely to feel embarrassed. USM can alleviate stigma for lower-income students yet may increase embarrassment among higher-income peers, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches benefiting all socioeconomic groups.

Full Citation: Orta‐Aleman, D., Zuercher, M. D., Chapman, L. E., Schwartz, M. B., French, C. D., Patel, A. I., Ritchie, L., Cohen, J., & Gosliner, W. (2025a). Universal School Meal Policies and perceived stigma: Quantitative evidence from eight US states. Journal of School Health, 96(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70098