Weight gain in early to middle adulthood may increase major health risks and mortality

[Excerpted from Harvard Gazette] Cumulative weight gain over the course of early and middle adulthood may increase health risks later in life, according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. They found that compared with people who kept their weight stable, people who gained a moderate amount of weight (5 … Continue reading “Weight gain in early to middle adulthood may increase major health risks and mortality”

Improving diet quality over time linked with reduced risk of premature death

[Excerpted from Harvard Chan News] People who improve the quality of their diets over time, eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish and less red and processed meats and sugary beverages, may significantly reduce their risk of premature death, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It … Continue reading “Improving diet quality over time linked with reduced risk of premature death”

A whole-community approach to reduce childhood obesity shows promise

A large-scale effort to reduce childhood obesity in two low-income Massachusetts communities resulted in some modest improvements among schoolchildren over a relatively short period of time, suggesting that such a comprehensive approach holds promise for the future. The study, along with two others evaluating Massachusetts’ efforts to reduce childhood obesity, were published in the July 2017 issue of Obesity. Coverage: A … Continue reading “A whole-community approach to reduce childhood obesity shows promise”

Biking preferences in a lower income, primarily minority neighborhood

[Excerpted from Harvard Chan News] Blacks and Hispanics living in Roxbury, MA, a low-income Boston neighborhood, prefer riding on safe-from-traffic bicycle routes such as cycle tracks—rather than biking with traffic in roadways—and they want more secure places to park their bicycles to prevent theft, according to a new Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health … Continue reading “Biking preferences in a lower income, primarily minority neighborhood”

Poster Day 2017

The Department of Nutrition was well represented at the 3rd Annual Harvard Chan Poster Day, where students, postdocs, and research associates gathered to present and discuss their work. Presenters from the department included: Alyssa Moran, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Marketing During Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Issuance: Insight from Three New York Counties Amanda C. McClain, Food … Continue reading “Poster Day 2017”

Department welcomes Chairman Frank Hu, honors predecessor Walter Willett

At an event appropriately catered with foods fit for a Healthy Eating Plate, colleagues and members of the Department of Nutrition gathered to welcome Dr. Frank Hu into his new role as Chairman, and to honor Dr. Walter Willett’s esteemed chairmanship. Since beginning his new role on the first of the year, Dr. Hu remarked … Continue reading “Department welcomes Chairman Frank Hu, honors predecessor Walter Willett”