RESEARCH • FUTURE
Food insecurity and hunger are among the most salient social issues of our time. Significant research is required to uncover the complexities of these issues and to test new strategies and solutions. Within a learning/living model (classroom to community), vertical teams of faculty, graduate students and undergraduates from across disciplines (Nutrition, Dietetics, Human Development, Gerontology, Psychology and Nursing) will engage in research to study a diverse range of topics. Clearly, education and research are intimately linked and topics of concern will lead to the development of important research questions, while research findings will further define and shape solutions for resolving the complex issues of hunger.
Potential Areas of Investigation
a. The interaction between nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and access to resources and the effects of these on food purchasing and consumption patterns. b. The association between poor nutrition and cognitive and social behavior as well as the long-term effects of poverty on these associations. c. The health consequences (i.e., anemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes) associated with short- and long-term sub-optimal nutrition and the ameliorating effects of federal program participation and nutrition education. d. The effects of school-related policies (participation in free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts, food availability, vending machine content, hours of cafeteria operation) on the nutritional status, behavior and health of school-age children. e. The effects of policy and policy changes (e.g., eligibility standards for the Food Stamp Program) on food choices, nutritional status and program participation.
Vertical, Community-based Research Teams
In order to provide interdisciplinary research experiences focused on food insecurity, a vertical team model will be used with graduate students working in identified problem areas, organized under Partnership faculty supervision. In addition, graduate research will be supported by teams of undergraduate students (either for credit or as part of course requirements) from various departments. In this way, Partnership faculty, in concert with graduate students, will design interdisciplinary research projects and undergraduate students from across disciplines will be invited to participate in the projects. Participation in this research will also support the goals and learning outcomes of the Food Security Fellows program. Two graduate student assistantships have been awarded, one to a MS candidate, the other to a PhD student from within the four Partnership Colleges, with the intent that external funding will be sought to support a minimum of 3-4 assistantships each year.