Alexandra Ross, PhD, MHS  

High sodium intake is associated with hypertension, heart disease, and strokes, making it a public health concern across the globe. However, reducing sodium consumption can be challenging due to the high levels present in packaged foods. Recognizing this public health concern, South Africa tackled this issue head-on by passing sodium reduction regulations—and the United States has proposed their own targets on a voluntary basis. So, what can we learn from South Africa’s approach?

Soren Harnois-Leblanc, PhD

​Staying active and limiting sedentary time may require a bit more encouragement over these cold winter months. Here is one incentive: did you know that you can optimize your health by considering all movement behaviors and their influence on each other over a 24-hour period?

Yutong Zhang, MS  

​Imagine you’re navigating the bustling aisles of supermarkets after a tiring day of work, and your attention is quickly drawn by all convenience, ready-to-eat options prepared on site. These prepared foods don’t require any extensive cooking, a perfect match for your busy life. In the US, prepared foods in supermarkets are in high demand over the past decades because of their convenience. However, this convenience comes at a cost of low nutritional quality and raises public health concerns. Petimar et al. led a study published in 2023 that revealed the high calories and low nutrient density reality behind supermarket prepared foods. 

Julia D'Ambrosio, MPH

​Families with school aged children are probably familiar with the hecticness that accompanies a morning before school: waking up early, getting the kids showered and dressed, zipping up book reports and last night’s homework into backpacks, and squeezing in 10 minutes for breakfast before racing out the door to catch the bus. Thankfully, preparing breakfast and lunch are two tasks that parents no longer have to worry about each morning. With universal school meals, every child who wants or needs a school lunch or breakfast can receive those meals at no cost to their family. 

​Watching this past summer’s Olympics, one of my favorite breakout stars was Team USA Rugby player Ilona Maher. Maher has gained attention for promoting body positivity for young girls; she often talks about how her Body Mass Index (BMI) has always qualified her as overweight. While she was insecure about her larger size as a child, she now emphasizes her size allowed her to have the strength and athleticism to become a champion rugby player. As a mom with two young kids, Maher’s comments about BMI and childhood body image made me think about how frequently I see BMI numbers for my kids and how little I understand about what they mean, which led me to explore the topic.