Nutrition Policies and Programs

Children and youth are in a unique developmental stage, during which time they have disproportionately high nutritional requirements. This stage also sets the foundation for food preferences and eating behaviors throughout their lives. As such, childhood and adolescence are critical periods that can shape health and well-being over the life course.

Unfortunately, the diets of U.S. youth are far from optimal, and one in three youth are overweight or obese. Poor diet quality and high rates of overweight/obesity exist alongside food insecurity—i.e., not having consistent access to enough nutritious food to maintain a healthy, active life. Policies and programs hold potential to address these issues and to help families and children become food secure and live healthy lives. Dr. Alfaro Hudak’s research seeks to evaluate how these policies and programs affect the diets and diet-related health of children and families. Her work includes evaluations of federal food assistance programs, federal and state food donation policy, medically tailored grocery interventions, and nutrition education programs.

Faculty