Our research examines innovative interventions and policies in schools to improve children's selection and consumption of school meals. Our studies have examined chef-based initiatives, behavioral economic interventions, and policy changes including longer school lunch periods. 

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Select Publications

Cohen JFW, Kesack A, Daly TP, Elnakib SA, Hager E, Hahn S, Hamlin D, Hill A, Lehmann A, Lurie P, Maroney M. Competitive foods’ nutritional quality and compliance with smart snacks standards: an analysis of a national sample of US middle and high schools. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 17;16(2):275.

 

Chapman LE, Richardson SA, Rimm EB, Gortmaker SL, Lee MM, Cohen JFW. Daily saturated fat and sodium content of elementary school meals in a large sample of 128 geographically diverse school systems in the United States. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2024 Mar 1;124(3):346-57.

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​Hecht A, Olarte D, McLoughlin G, Cohen JFW. Strategies to Increase Student Participation in School Meals in the United States: A Systematic Review. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2023 Jul 1;123(7):1075

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Cohen JF, Scott M, Sutton M, Cueva K, Shonkoff ET, Goldman RE, Margolis DN, Potempa AE, Fink K, Gustus S, Stock M. A mixed-methods evaluation of a school wellness initiative: An examination of longer lunch periods and more physical activity opportunities. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2021 Oct 1;121(10):1961-74.

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Cohen JFW, Richardson S, Roberto CA, Rimm EB. Availability of Lower Sodium School Lunches and the Association with Selection and Consumption among Elementary and Middle School Students. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020 Oct 21;121(1):105-11.

 

Cohen JFW, Hecht AA, Hager E, Turner L, Schwartz MB. Strategies to Improve School Meal Consumption: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021 Oct; 13(10): 3520​​

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Cohen JFW, Schwartz MB. Documented Success and Future Potential of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020 Mar 1;120(3):359-62.

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Cohen JFW, Gorski Findling MT, Rosenfeld L, Smith L, Rimm EB, Hoffman JA. The Impact of 1 Year of Healthier School Food Policies on Students' Diets During and Outside of the School Day. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018 Dec;118(12):2296-2301.

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Cohen JFW, Richardson S, Rimm EB. Selection Does Not Equate Consumption.  JAMA Internal Medicine. 2017 Dec 1;177(12):1875

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Chapman LE, Cohen J, Canterberry M, Carton TW.  Factors Associated with School Lunch Consumption: Reverse Recess and School "Brunch". J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017 Sep;117(9):1413-1418

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Cohen JF, Jahn JL, Richardson S, Cluggish A. S, Parker E, Catalano P, Rimm EB. Amount of Time to Eat Lunch Is Associated with Children’s Selection and Consumption of School Meal Entrée, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016 Jan; 116(1):123-128

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Cohen JF, Jahn JL, Richardson S, Cluggish A. S, Parker E, Catalano P, Rimm EB. Amount of Time to Eat Lunch Is Associated with Children’s Selection and Consumption of School Meal Entrée, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016 Jan; 116(1):123-128

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Cohen JF, Richardson S, Cluggish SA, Parker E, Catalano P, Rimm EB. Effects of choice architecture and chef-enhanced meals on the selection and consumption of healthier school foods: a randomized clinical trial; JAMA Pediatr. 2015 May;169(5):431-7.

 

Cohen JF, Richardson S, Parker E, Catalano P, Rimm EB. Impact of the new USDA school meal standards on food selection, consumption, and waste. Am J Prev Med. 2014 Apr;46(4):388-94

 

Cohen JF, Rimm EB, Austin SB, Hyatt RR, Kraak VI, Economos CD. Impact of the CHANGE food service intervention on whole grains served in rural elementary schools. J Sch Health. 2014 Mar;84(3):212-9

 

Cohen JF, Kraak VI, Choumenkovitch SF, Hyatt RR, Economos CD. The CHANGE study: A healthy-lifestyles intervention to improve rural children’s diet quality. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014 Jan;114(1):48

 

Cohen JF, Richardson S, Austin SB, Economos CD, Rimm EB. School lunch waste among middle school students: nutrients consumed and costs. Am J Prev Med. 2013 Feb;44(2):114-21

 

Cohen JF, Smit LA, Parker E, Austin SB, Frazier AL, Economos CD, Rimm EB. The long-term impact of a chef on school lunch consumption: Findings from a 2-year pilot study in Boston middle schools. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112(6):927-33

Our research examines local, state, and federal nutrition policies including the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) and Smart Snacks in Schools.  Findings from our studies have been influential in national policy debates regarding school meal standards, including citations on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website and at numerous congressional hearings. 

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Select Publications

Wang L, Cohen JFW, Maroney M, Cudhea F, Hill A, Schwartz C, Lurie P, Mozaffarian D. Evaluation of health and economic effects of United States school meal standards consistent with the 2020–2025 dietary guidelines for Americans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Sep 1;118(3): 605-13

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Schwartz MB, Leider J, Cohen JFW, Turner L, Chriqui JF. Association between Nutrition Policies and Student Body Mass Index. Nutrients. 2021 Jan;13(1):13.

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Chriqui JF, Leider J, Cohen JFW, Schwartz M, Turner L. Are Nutrition Standards for Beverages in Schools Associated with Healthier Beverage Intakes among Adolescents in the US?. Nutrients. 2021 Jan;13(1):75.

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Cohen JFW, Schwartz MB, Leider J, Turner L, Chriqui JF. Meal Quality of Entrées That Can Be Sold as Competitive Foods in Schools and Potential Impact of the Proposed USDA Rollbacks. Nutrients. 2020 Oct;12(10):3003.

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Cohen JFW, Richardson S, Rimm EB. Impact of the Updated USDA School Meal Standards, Chef-Enhanced Meals, and the Removal of Flavored Milk on School Meal Selection and Consumption. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019 Sep;119(9):1511-1515

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Jahn JL, Cohen JFW, Gorski MT, Hoffman JA, Rosenfeld L, Chaffee R, Smith L, Rimm EB..  Product Reformulation and Nutrition Improvements after New Competitive Food Standards in Schools; Public Health Nutrition. 2018 Apr;21(5):1011-1018

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Cohen JF, Gorski MT, Hoffman JA, Rosenfeld L, Chaffee R, Smith L, Catalano PJ, Rimm EB. Healthier Standards for School Meals and Snacks: Impact on School Food Revenues and Lunch Participation Rates. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Oct;51(4):485-92

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Rosenfeld L, Cohen JFW, Gorski MT, Andres Lessing, Smith L, Rimm EB, Hoffman JA. How Do We Actually Put Smarter Snacks in Schools?: NOURISH Conversations with Food Service Directors. Public Health Nutr. 2016 Aug 30:1-9

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Gorski MT, Cohen JF, Hoffman JA, Rosenfeld L, Chaffee R, Smith L, Rimm EB. Impact of Nutrition Standards on Competitive Food Quality in Massachusetts Middle and High Schools. Am J Public Health. 2016 Jun;106(6):1101-8.

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Hoffman J, Rosenfeld L, Schmidt N, Cohen JF, Gorski M, Chaffee R, Smith L, Rimm EB. Implementation of Competitive Food and Beverage Standards in a Sample of Massachusetts Schools: The NOURISH Study (Nutrition Opportunities to Understand Reforms Involving Student Health). J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Aug; 115(8): 1299-1307

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Polacsek M, O'Rourke K, O'Brien L, Blum JW, Donahue S. Examining compliance with a statewide law banning junk food and beverage marketing in Maine schools. Public Health Reports. 2012 Mar;127(2):216-23.