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Nutrition

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Essay
Why Are U.S. Military Families Experiencing Food Insecurity?
Around a quarter of active-duty service members qualify as “food insecure.” But what's causing that, how to fix it—even what it means—is not clear. Food insecurity is a multifaceted problem that needs multifaceted solutions.
Nov 6, 2023
News Release
Strengthening School Lunch Nutritional Standards May Help Improve Obesity Outlook for Low-Income Children
Regulations that strengthened the nutritional requirements for school lunches were associated with a decline in signs of obesity among school children in kindergarten through 5th grade who participated in free or reduced-price lunch programs.
May 5, 2022

Explore Nutrition

Journal Article
Police Bias and Low Relatability and Diet Quality: Examining the Importance of Psychosocial Factors in Predominantly Black Communities
Police bias and low relatability may play a role in community connection, social status, and ultimately dietary disparities for Black Americans. Addressing police bias and low relatability is a continuing and pressing public health issue.
Nov 6, 2023
Journal Article
Students' Consumption of High and Low Nutrition Foods and Reduced Plate Waste by Schools' Wellness-Related Policies and Garden Program Participation
Participation in school-based programs that may support children's nutritious dietary behaviours varies across schools. We examined school participation in wellness-related policies, school-based garden programs and students' dietary behaviours.
Nov 6, 2023
Report
Food Insecurity Among Veterans
Veterans experiencing food insecurity are less likely than nonveterans to be enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. What factors affect this? And how might policymakers address the problem?
Sep 20, 2023
Research Brief
Reducing Policy Barriers to SNAP Participation by Food-Insecure Veterans
Food-insecure veterans are consistently less likely than their nonveteran peers to be enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but there are opportunities to improve policies and boost veterans’ program participation.
Sep 20, 2023
Journal Article
What Is Associated with Changes in Food Security Among Low-Income Residents of a Former Food Desert?
We compared study participants in a former food desert neighborhood whose food security improved to those whose food security did not improve across survey waves. Distance to major food shopping store was positively associated with food security.
May 16, 2023
Journal Article
Associations of a National Tax on Non-Essential High Calorie Foods with Changes in Consumer Prices
This study evaluates the price effect of Mexico's tax on high calorie non-essential foods and shows that prices of taxed foods increased soon after the tax and that higher price persisted for at least two years.
Sep 15, 2022
Journal Article
Improving Diet Quality in U.S. Adults: A 30-Year Health and Economic Impact Microsimulation
Microsimulation (Future Adult Model) predicted 30-year improved diet quality impacts across 12 demographic groups. Diet improvement reduced prevalence of heart disease by 7.6% to 13.8% across groups and reduced healthcare costs by $10B in year 30.
Jul 12, 2022
Journal Article
Diet Quality Improvement and 30-Year Population Health and Economic Outcomes: A Microsimulation Study
Microsimulation (Future Adult Model) predicted 30-year US population changes from improved diet quality. Diet improvement reduced prevalence of diabetes, heart disease and stroke by 11%, 7%, and 10%, and reduced healthcare costs by $144B in year 30.
Jul 12, 2022
Journal Article
Diet Quality in the United States Improved During the Great Recession and Deteriorated During Economic Recovery
During the Great Recession, American diets became more consistent with Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, possibly because of a shift toward food prepared at home instead of prepared food bought away from home.
Jul 7, 2022
Report
Impacts of Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program (BCMAP) Standards on Individual Outcomes and Talent Management
Researchers examine how the U.S. Marine Corps' Body Composition and Military Appearance Program and its associated policies drive individual behavior -- namely those related to disordered eating -- of marines and specifically of women and people of color.
Mar 28, 2022
Commentary
Inequitable Marine Corps Body Composition Policies and Their Effect on Health
The Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program is potentially harming Marines. The Marine Corps should consider pausing the policy while it further examines its effects on individual health and considers developing a new health-focused policy that includes requirements designed to reflect the diversity of the force.
Mar 25, 2022
Journal Article
Bittersweet: How Prices of Sugar-Rich Foods Contribute to the Diet-Related Disease Epidemic in Mexico
I provide new evidence on how price changes of nutritionally similar foods, such as those rich in sugar or fats, change obesity and diet-related diseases in the context of Mexico between 1996–2010.
Jan 13, 2022
Commentary
Why Are U.S. Veterans at Heightened Risk of Food Insecurity?
U.S. veterans are at great risk of food insecurity, but there is limited understanding of exactly how many veterans lack resources to attain adequate and nutritious food and why. If resources are to be directed more effectively, the United States needs better clarity into the magnitude of the problem.
Nov 24, 2021
Journal Article
Provision of School Meals Across the EU: An Overview of Rationales, Evidence, Facilitators and Barriers
This research for EPIC examines the available evidence behind the provision of free or subsidised meals to children via schools across the EU. It includes an overview of rationales, evidence, facilitators and barriers in their provision.
Oct 1, 2021
Journal Article
Longitudinal Associations Between Changes in Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Use, Eating Behavior, Perceived Stress, and Self-Rated Health in a Cohort of Low-Income Black Adults
We found significant longitudinal associations between smoking behavior and eating behavior, perceived stress, and self-rated health. This has implications for the development of behavior change programs and community-level interventions and policies.
Aug 27, 2021
Commentary
The Biden Administration's Chance to Improve SNAP and Nutrition Support
If policymakers were to make permanent the relaxed rules forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, it could be a start to increased racial equity in SNAP. Given broad public support for SNAP, making benefits easier to access, particularly for those already eligible, could be a bipartisan priority.
May 19, 2021
Journal Article
SNAP Participants and High Levels of Food Insecurity in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic
We examined how people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly Black participants, and participants residing in food deserts.
Apr 2, 2021
Journal Article
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Objectively Measured Sleep Problems
Food Insecurity (FI) can be a profound source of stress, which may increase the risk for sleep disturbance. This is the first study to examine the association between FI and objectively and subjectively measured sleep.
Mar 16, 2021

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RAND Topic:
Nutrition

Research conducted by

RAND Health Care

Researcher Spotlight

Tamara Dubowitz

Senior Policy Researcher

Tamara Dubowitz (she/her) is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation and faculty at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Trained in social epidemiology with concentrations in maternal and child health and public health nutrition, her research focuses on the role of place, or geography,…
Daniel Lee

Analyst

Daniel Lee (he/him) is an analyst at RAND Europe working in the area of health and wellbeing. His research interests include health policy, obesity, nutrition, digital health technologies, and mental health.

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