A father holds his young daughter in his arms while shopping for orange bell peppers at the farmers market. The white text over a blue background reads: “NPI comments on the critical importance of USDA’s national food security data.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.

📊 National food security data is on the line. @npi.ucanr.edu @ucanr.edu submitted comments stressing the need to continue the Census household food security survey—critical for tracking hunger & informing policy. Losing it risks major data gaps. Learn more: bit.ly/4sDfPwM

Four children are pictured smiling, eating a variety of fruits while sitting at a table. The text reads: “A new questionnaire could transform how childcare settings assess health practices.”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.

A new study explores the reliability & validity of the Site-Level Assessment Questionnaire–SLAQ–used to assess nutrition and physical activity practices in childcare settings. SLAQ results can help childcare programs create health-promoting environments. bit.ly/4dvCt6B

Recess may boost school attendance Schools with structured recess saw lower absenteeism, especially among Latino students.

Recess isn’t just play; it can help get kids to school.
New research from @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social, co-authored by Hannah Thompson of @npi.ucanr.edu found schools with structured, supervised recess saw lower chronic absenteeism, especially among Latino students.

www.axios.com/local/san-di...

Recess may boost school attendance Schools with structured recess saw lower absenteeism, especially among Latino students.

Read more in this @axios.com San Diego interview with Hannah Thompson: www.axios.com/local/san-di...

Can recess boost school attendance? New research from @npi.ucanr.edu's Hannah Thompson finds schools with structured, staff-led recess had lower absenteeism rates—especially for Latino students. Safe, engaging play may help kids feel connected—and more likely to show up to school!

Read the full paper online in the journal Advances in Nutrition: bit.ly/4bPo8PP

White text over a blue background reads: “How do we turn climate–food–health science into real-world impact? A new open-access paper offers a practical roadmap for translating complex evidence into policy & practice.” A screenshot of a publication in the journal Advances in Nutrition is included. The title of the publication is “Translating Science to Improve Health—a Report from the “Agriculture and Diet: Value Added for Nutrition, Translation, and Adaptation in a Global Ecology” (ADVANTAGE) Project Working Group 5.” The Nutrition Policy Institute Logo is included.

A new paper offers a roadmap for turning climate–food–health science into action. From CA school food policy to global guidance via the United Nations Committee on World Food Security, it outlines core principles to bridge research & policy.

Frontiers | Trends in 4th−12th grade students' aerobic capacity and muscular strength and endurance: New York City public school students, 2006–2019 BackgroundSystematically monitoring youth fitness over time is critical for designing and implementing policies and interventions to maintain/increase youth ...

🔗 Read the full study, online through Frontiers here: bit.ly/3P3xD6i

Four children are warming up and stretching with their arms raised before exercise. The text reads: “Data shows improving student fitness in NYC public schools, but inequalities persist”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.

Student fitness is improving - but not equally. A longitudinal study following 2.3 million students revealed increases in the proportion of students reaching Healthy Fitness Zones. Despite these gains, data reveal widening gaps in reaching fitness requirements tied to race and socioeconomic status.

Food Purchase, Consumption, and Waste Practices Among GusNIP Participants in California: A Qualitative Exploration | Nutrition Policy Institute Research Brief • November 2025 • Download PDF (331 KB)

🔗 Read the full brief here: bit.ly/4c7PT7T

Graphic with first page of the research brief on the left. Nutrition Policy Institute logo at the bottom. Right text reading: "New research brief explores how the California Nutrition Incentive Program supports increased fruit and vegetable purchases without increasing food waste!"

🥕📊 New @npi.ucanr.edu research brief shows that the California Nutrition Incentive Program helps #SNAP shoppers buy a greater amount and variety of produce, which is well utilized and not wasted. Participants valued improved access to fresh, healthy foods and shared waste reduction strategies♻️.

🔗 Read the full study here: bit.ly/4rcM1aF

Four students sitting at a school cafeteria eating lunch. Credit: USDA.

📢 New study finds positive perceptions of school lunches are linked to higher participation 🍎🍽️🥪! Ongoing efforts and additional investments to improve meal quality, variety, healthfulness, and familiarity are critical to increase participation and promote students’ health and development.

This map was created with support from the CA Department of Social Services, Child and Adult Care Food Program Branch in partnership with the @npi.ucanr.edu and Informatics and GIS Program at @ucanr.edu , @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social, CACFP Roundtable and CDSS Community Care Licensing Division.

CACFP Family Child Care Home Participation in California Scroll down to learn more about California’s Child and Adult Care Food Program participation by Family Child Care Homes in 2023

Explore the interactive map to see where CACFP expansion could make the greatest impact for California families! bit.ly/4l6X2Yy

White text over a blue background that reads: “New interactive map spotlights where Child and Adult Care Food Program expansion could make the greatest impact for California families!” There is a screenshot of a storymap that shows the state of California with several hot-spots over census-tracts indicating higher and lower rates of food insecurity. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.

Only 46% of California family child care homes participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, despite the program's reimbursements for healthy food. A new map highlights “hot spots” where food insecurity is high and participation is low—showing clear opportunities to better support families.

Join us this Wednesday for a webinar on food insecurity in California, where @uclachpr.bsky.social researchers share California Health Interview Survey findings and how to use it. The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank will discuss the importance of these data and how they use it: ucla.in/3MwrVZR.

Water is K’é: Pilot Results of a Community-based Intervention to Increase Healthy Beverage Consumption by Navajo Preschool Children We developed a culturally-grounded intervention to promote healthy beverage consumption among Navajo children aged 2–5 years. This study, which took p…

🔗 Read the full study, funded by @heresearch.bsky.social arch.bsky.social, online through the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior here: bit.ly/4qwqR67

The Water is K’é logo is pictured. The text reads: “Water is K’é: Culturally-centered Intervention Leads to Healthier Hydration Habits”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included at the bottom.

🔐 Cultural connection can unlock healthy habits. A new study revealed that a culturally-grounded program increased daily water intake among Navajo children from 17 to 22 ounces per day, underscoring the program’s potential to establish healthy hydration practices among younger generations.

🔗 Read the full study, funded by @heresearch.bsky.social, here: bit.ly/3MHA9OC

Screenshot of a study’s abstract on the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior website. The title of the study is, “Trends in California Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation Among Family Child Care Home Providers: The Role of Tiered Meal Reimbursements.”

During COVID-19, eliminating tiered Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursements stabilized tier 1 & increased tier 2 childcare providers’ participation 📈. When tiers returned, participation fell 📉. Reforming CACFP reimbursements could support provider retention & child nutrition! 🍎

Two decades of impact!
After releasing our 20‑Year Impact Report, we’re moving full speed into the next chapter: advancing research, strengthening child nutrition policies, and expanding collaboration nationwide.
healthyeatingresearch.org/who-we-are/o...

🔗 Sign up to reserve your spot for free! bit.ly/4cAhe2Q

An infographic reads “CONNECT & EXPLORE Supporting Recess in Schools: Evidence, Health Impact and Action”. Below, the image shows dates and times listing “March 10, 2026, 12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET.” The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Connect & Explore Webinar Series logo is placed in the top right corner.

✍️ Mark your calendars! On March 10th, @npi.ucanr.edu, director Hannah Thompson will present with @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social American Health Initiative colleagues Erin Hager and Rachel Deitch, to discuss a toolkit designed to support the establishment of state-level recess laws!

Learn more and find links to the publications here: ucanr.edu/blog/nutriti...

A blue box with white text, the title reads, "Two studies on School Meals for All are gaining recognition in the journal Nutrients." There is a white arrow pointing to a screenshot of the title of a Nurients publicaiton, "The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals," with text next to it that reads "This highly-cited study was featured in Nutrient's Hot Topics on Nutritional Inequality & Policy Research!. There is a second white arrow pointing at a screenshot of the title of a second Nutrients publications, "Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Parental Perceptions of and Student Participation in School Meals," with text next to it that reads, "This study is a Nutrients Best Paper Award candidate!"

📚 @npi.ucanr.edu @ucanr.edu research on California’s Universal School Meals policy is gaining recognition in the journal, Nutrients! One study was featured in Hot Topics on nutritional inequality & policy research, and another is a Best Paper Award candidate!

Graphic stating, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends students have at least 20-minutes of seated time to eat meals. A recent multi-state study found that students with <15 minutes to eat lunch wasted more food and ate less milk, fruit, and whole grains compared with those with ≥25 minutes. It also showed varying adherence CDC's seated time recommendations based on school lunch period length: 20-minute lunch periods had 16% adherence 25-minute lunch periods had 55% adherence 30-minute lunch periods had 89% adherence.” Nutrition Policy logo at the bottom.

🔗 Read the full research brief here: www.childnourishlab.org/_files/ugd/3...

#SchoolNutrition #HealthyEating #FoodWaste

📊 New research brief shows students need more than 20 minutes to eat school meals. 🍎🥛🍞 Longer lunch periods help kids consume more milk, fruit, and whole grains while reducing food waste ♻️. State & school policies should require > 20-minute lunch periods to support healthier eating for all students!

Check out the full collection online: nopren.ucsf.edu/nopren-speci...

A screenshot of the cover of the 2024-2025 NOPREN Special Collection, which includes an image of a young boy eating a sandwich while sitting at a table with other children. The text reads: "Seven collaborative NPI publications on CACFP, WIC, school meals for all, healthy beverages & drinking water access are featured in the 2024-2025 NOPREN Special Collection!" The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.

Seven @npi.ucanr.edu @ucanr.edu studies are featured in the 2024–2025 #NOPREN Special Collection! 🎉 Topics span CACFP, WIC, school meals for all, healthy beverages & water access—showing how research is shaping nutrition policy at every level!