Nutrition Policy Institute News

The latest news and updates from the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sign up to receive Research to Action, the Nutrition Policy Institute's quarterly news brief providing information on research, policy, news, announcements, events, articles and action items focused on nutrition and healthy communities.

Return to the Nutrition Policy Institute website.

NPI News Archive: 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015

Hannah Thompson interviewed by Axios San Diego on how school recess may reduce absenteeism

March 31, 2026

A recent study featured in Axios San Diego highlights new research suggesting that well-supported recess programs may play a role in improving school attendance. The study, led by Nutrition Policy Institute director, Hannah Thompson, and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, examined low…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New publication on translating climate–food–health science into action

March 24, 2026

A new open-access publication outlines how to better translate science at the climate–food–health nexus into effective policy and practice. Published in Advances in Nutrition, authors propose a practical framework grounded in ecological systems thinking to help decision-makers navigate the complex…

View Article

13 years of data reveal improving student fitness levels across NYC public schools, but inequities persist

March 18, 2026

A 2026 longitudinal study assessed 13 years of school-based fitness testing data from New York City students in grades 4-12 at 1,721 public schools. Researchers used data from three FitnessGram tests -aerobic capacity, push-ups, and curl-ups -and looked at how many students were meeting age- and…

View Article

California Nutrition Incentive Program supports increased fruit and vegetable purchases without increasing food waste

March 11, 2026

The California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) supports Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers in purchasing fruits and vegetables by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP dollars spent on produce. Nutrition Policy Institute researchers conducted a mixed-methods study utilizing…

View Article

New study examines how student perceptions of school meals influence their participation

March 9, 2026

By Brianna Aguayo Villalon

School meals play a critical role in supporting children’s nutrition and health in the United States; however, only about half of students participate in the National School Lunch Program on a typical school day. A recent study showed that student perceptions of school meals influence their participation…

View Article