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Nutrition Policy Institute News

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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. 

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A group of elementary school children in a PE class outside on the school blacktop with their PE teacher on a cloudy day.
Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New study examines the role of structured play in reducing chronic absenteeism in California elementary schools

April 22, 2026
Playworks, a national nonprofit organization that promotes structured, inclusive recess in low-income elementary schools, has been shown to improve student engagement, physical activity, and school climate. However, little is known about whether programs like Playworks—where trained adults lead games that…
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A mother holds her young daughter in her arms while selecting apples in the produce section of a grocery store.
Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI comments on the critical importance of USDA’s national food security data

April 16, 2026
The Food Security Supplement to the United States Census Current Population Survey, or Household Food Security Survey Module, is one of the most valuable federal datasets for understanding food insecurity and evaluating nutrition policy in the US. Despite its value, the US Department of Agriculture …
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Baskets of cherry tomatoes on display in the produce section of a grocery store.
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…
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