Population-level interventions and community environment effects on obesity among diverse Asian American ethnic subgroups
The first of its kind, this longitudinal study will: (1) determine the effects of federal and state nutrition policies designed to improve food and beverages in schools on obesity disparities among a wide range of Asian/PI ethnic groups; and (2) investigate how community food environments modify the effect nutrition policies on obesity disparities. The study will generate new evidence on the effectiveness of current nutrition policy interventions to prevent obesity among population groups who have been severely understudied in obesity prevention research. Findings from this study will inform population-wide strategies to prevent obesity and promote children’s healthy body weight among diverse Asian/PI populations.
Effectiveness of population level interventions in schools and academic performance
This quasi-experimental longitudinal study will (a) examine the impact of state and federal nutrition policy interventions for schools on academic performance overall and related racial/ethnic disparities; and (b) investigate whether these outcomes are modified by community food environments. This study takes advantage of a series of natural experiments generated by California’s trailblazing policies to improve nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold to children outside the school meals program, and the historic changes in the composition of the federally supported school meals instituted as part of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Findings from this study will help inform current and future population-wide strategies focused on eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in health.