UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Connecticut child care centers participating in a federal food assistance program do a better job at feeding preschoolers healthy foods than non-participating centers, according to a new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut. 

Nationwide, 4 million children receive subsidized meals and snacks through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which provides financial support for food served in child care centers and family day care homes, and applies standards to the types and quantity of foods served. Beccause the program targets support for low-income children, CACFP has become an important policy tool in addressing food security and improving nutrition in young children.

This video explains how and why food companies market to teens.

The UConn Rudd Center is saddened to learn of the passing of Leslie Rudd, founder of The Rudd Foundation. 

“Leslie Rudd was an entrepreneur who valued innovation, determination, and challenging the status quo. His values and foundational vision for the Rudd Center remain strongly embedded as core principles of our center’s work by conducting strategic research that intersects with public policy to maximize impact,” stated Marlene B. Schwartz, Rudd Center Director and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at UConn. 

Full citation: Martin KS, Wolff M, Callahan K, Schwartz MB. Supporting Wellness at Pantries: Development of a Nutrition Stoplight System for Food Banks and Food Pantries. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019;119(4):553-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.03.003

Full citation: Andreyeva T, Kenney EL, O’Connell M, Sun X, Henderson KE. Predictors of Nutrition Quality in Early Child Education Settings in Connecticut. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2018;50(5):458-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2017.12.016

Full citation: Pearl RL, Puhl RM. Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review. Obes Rev. 2018;19(8):1141-1163. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12701

Full citation: Radnitz C, Loeb KL, Keller KL, et al. Effect of default menus on food selection and consumption in a college dining hall simulation study. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(7):1359-1369. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017004220

Negative biases against people with obesity are widespread and can contribute to physical and emotional health problems. Studies of weight stigma often focus on women and indicate that women experience weight strigma more than men. Recent evidence, however, suggests the gap between men and women in experiencing weight stigma may be smaller than previously thought. Yet little research has been conducted on weight stigma in men exclusively – until now. 

A new study of weight stigma in men by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut found that a signifcant portion of adult American men reported being mistreated about their weight. The findings suggest that men may be experiencing weight stigma at similar rates relative to women.

Full citation: Loeb KL, Radnitz C, Keller KL, et al. The Application of Optimal Defaults to Improve Elementary School Lunch Selections: Proof of Concept. J Sch Health. 2018;88(4):265-271. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12611