UNC Study: Improvements in WIC packaging led to overall food choice improvements
An improvement in the food choices and nutritional content of WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), packages has produced analogous changes in overall food purchase habits... Read more »
Study of first-graders shows fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevalent in US communities
February 12, 2018 A new study, co-authored by Dr. Philip May, found that between 1 percent and 5 percent of the 6,000 first-graders studied have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Findings were published Feb. 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prescribing fresh, nutritious food will improve health of low-income, high-risk patients
January 19, 2018 Dr. Alice Ammerman is co-principal investigator on a project that will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to high-risk, low-income patients at a local medical center in an effort to improve the patients' health and well-being. Photo of local farmers market, shown at left, was taken by Dr. Ammerman.
Study predicts tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Colombia would reduce consumption, boost government revenue
January 4, 2018 Three researchers in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health are co-authors of a new study that estimates what outcomes would likely result if Colombia were to institute a national tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Gillings faculty member founds ‘NutriXiv’ publishing platform
September 6, 2017 Dr. Kyle Burger, assistant professor of nutrition, has launched NutriXiv, a free digital archive for nutritional sciences research.
Taxes highly effective as part of comprehensive food-related policies in Chile, study finds
August 31, 2017 More comprehensive taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods would promote a healthier diet in Chile, according to a new study co-authored by Gillings School doctoral student Juan Carlos Caro and Drs. Shu Wen Ng, Lindsey Smith Taillie and Barry M. Popkin. Photo by Stephany Duda.
AICR report: Strong global evidence that alcohol is bad, exercise is good for breast cancer prevention
June 21, 2017 Dr. Stephen Hursting has contributed to a new report about breast cancer risk, finding strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk and vigorous exercise reduces it. Hursting helped generate a report of systematic reviews about diet, nutrition, physical activity and breast cancer that was published by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
JAMA: UNC-Cal Poly online program improves weight loss after childbirth
June 20, 2017 According to a study co-authored by Dr. Deborah Tate, an internet-based weight loss program led to significant weight loss in low-income women during the year following pregnancy. Photo by Mark Stosberg.
Study evaluates added sugars in packaged beverages, finds black and low-income families most at risk
June 7, 2017 Dr. Shu Wen Ng led a study that lays the groundwork for monitoring the sugar content of pre-packaged sweetened beverages and the purchases of those beverages over time. The data will be an important baseline before and after July 2018, when a federal requirement will oblige manufacturers to list "added sugars" on nutritional labeling.
Obese adults experience increased influenza risk despite being vaccinated, study finds
June 6, 2017 Melinda A. Beck, PhD, of the UNC Gillings Department of Nutrition, is the corresponding author of a new study in the International Journal of Obesity. The study found that, compared to adults of healthy weight, obese adults are twice as likely to contract the flu or a flu-like illness despite being vaccinated.