Nutrients Webinar | Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security
the chairs
18th Nutrients Webinar
Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security
In a time marked by rising health disparities, food insecurity, and growing inequities in access to essential resources, the need to explore how policy and research influence nutrition outcomes has never been greater.
We are delighted to welcome you to the webinar "Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security". This webinar brings together distinguished academic minds, researchers, and practitioners. Through a series of concise presentations and moderated discussions, this event aims to bring together cross-disciplinary experts in nutrition policy and programs, advance dialogue on equitable food security solutions, and highlight innovative research from the special issue. Research shows us how good nutrition is directly linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and long-term health outcomes. And schools aren’t just places of learning; they have profound influences on nutritional intake, access, and behaviors.
By studying and strengthening nutrition policies and programs in schools, we create opportunities to reduce health disparities and build the foundation for healthier families and communities. The research presented is innovative and spanning multiple geographic contexts, policies, and grade levels.
Date: 22 May 2025
Time: 4:00 pm CEST | 10:00 am EDT | 10:00 pm CST Asia
Webinar ID: 820 7490 7778
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Gabriella Maria McLoughlin
Temple University, College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, USA;
Dr. Sarah Moreland-Russell
School of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, USA;
Dr. Moreland-Russell is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on health policy analysis and evaluation, specifically regarding tobacco control and obesity prevention, organizational and systems science and evaluation, and dissemination and implementation of public health policies.
Dr. Moreland-Russell’s work has made contributions to the need for local level policy adoption, strategies for disseminating results for more effective implementation of evidence-based policy, and the evaluation of public health programs. In addition, Dr. Moreland-Russell recently finished an APHA fellowship in government where she served as a policy advisor for Senator Kristen Gillibrand on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Kylie Smith
Menzies Institute for Medical Research , University of Tasmania, Australia;
Dr Kylie Smith is Senior Research Fellow at Menzies Institute for Medical Research. She is a Nutritional Epidemiologist and a Registered Public Health Nutritionist. She leads a program of work that aims to improve children’s nutrition at school, including school lunch programs, school canteens, and school breakfast programs.
In this section, you will find the recordings of this webinar to watch, re-watch and share with your colleagues!
The MDPI Nutrients Special Issue Webinar, Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security, brought together researchers and practitioners from around the world to explore the vital role of schools in shaping health, nutrition, and educational outcomes. Along with co-chairs Sarah Moreland-Russell and Dan Ferris, the webinar featured talks by Dr. Gabriella McLoughlin and Dr. Kylie Smith and highlighted research on policy implementation, measurement development, advocacy related to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, and the impact of school meals on academic performance. The session offered insights from multiple educational and geographic settings and underscored the importance of research surrounding schools as key platforms for advancing food security and health equity. Attendees contributed valuable questions and perspectives focused on evidence-based nutrition strategies to support thriving students and communities.
"Nutrition Policy and Programs in Educational Settings: Equitable Approaches to Food Security "
Edited by Dr. Sarah Moreland-Russell, Dr. Dan Ferris