Longitudinal Changes in Healthy Eating Index-2020 Score and Impacts on Body Mass Index among Adolescents in the Growing Up Today Study: A Prospective Cohort Study
Matthew M.
Lee, Mary Kathryn
Poole, Jarvis T.
Chen, Steven L.
Gortmaker, Briana Joy K.
Stephenson, Jess
Haines, Jorge E.
Chavarro, Dimitrios V.
Diamantis, and Erica L.
Kenney
@article{lee2026longitudinal,title={Longitudinal Changes in Healthy Eating Index-2020 Score and Impacts on Body Mass Index among Adolescents in the Growing Up Today Study: A Prospective Cohort Study},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Poole, Mary Kathryn and Chen, Jarvis T. and Gortmaker, Steven L. and Stephenson, Briana Joy K. and Haines, Jess and Chavarro, Jorge E. and Diamantis, Dimitrios V. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={The Journal of Nutrition},volume={156},number={9},pages={101735},year={2026},month=sep,doi={10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101735},}
Pediatr Open Sci
Increases to WIC’s Cash-Value Benefit for Fruits and Vegetables and Higher Benefit Redemption
Erica L.
Kenney†, Matthew M.
Lee†, Rebecca S.
Mozaffarian, and Eric B.
Rimm
The cash-value benefit (CVB) in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supports low-income households with young children to purchase fruits and vegetables. Our objective was to estimate whether the amounts households spent with the CVB increased after recent policy changes. In this natural experiment from 2017 to 2022 among 485 560 Massachusetts WIC-participating households with children aged less than 4 years, an interrupted time series analysis estimated the association between (1) an initial CVB increase from 9 per month for children to 35 per month in June 2021 and (2) an adjustment to 24 per month for children with the absolute cash value and proportion redeemed of the CVB each month. Before the first CVB change in June 2021, households (who often had multiple WIC participants within) redeemed an average of 11.45 per month, or 85% of the total benefit issued. In June 2021, the average dollar amount redeemed per household immediately increased (+21.73; 95% CI, 21.27 to 22.19) and then stayed steady. In October 2021, the amount redeemed immediately decreased (−6.89, 95% CI, −7.38 to −6.39) but then started gradually increasing by 0.57 per month (95% CI, 0.17 to $0.96). No significant trends were observed in the proportion of CVB redeemed, which remained consistently high. Increasing the CVB amount was associated with substantial increases in the amount of WIC benefits spent on fruits and vegetables for households with young children. These households’ consistent, high use of the increased CVB suggests the evidence-based increase to this benefit addressed an unmet need.
@article{kenney2026increases,title={Increases to WIC’s Cash-Value Benefit for Fruits and Vegetables and Higher Benefit Redemption},author={Kenney, Erica L. and Lee, Matthew M. and Mozaffarian, Rebecca S. and Rimm, Eric B.},journal={Pediatrics Open Science},volume={2},number={3},pages={1--8},year={2026},month=sep,doi={10.1542/pedsos.2026-001537},}
JAMA Netw Open
Remote Services, Benefits, and Program Retention Changes Among Young Children in WIC
Erica L.
Kenney†, Matthew M.
Lee†, Rebecca S.
Mozaffarian, and Eric B.
Rimm
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) improves health for young children with low household incomes, but it is underutilized after infancy due to program complexity and lower perceived value of benefits for participants aged 1 to 4 years. Increasing participants’ retention in WIC could be an important strategy for improving the health of young children. To evaluate whether policies making WIC easier to use and increasing benefit value were associated with increased retention of participants postinfancy. This repeated cross-sectional experiment used interrupted time series analysis of Massachusetts participants in WIC younger than 4 years enrolled between January 2017 and December 2022. Analyses were conducted in between June 2024 and April 2025. Two policy changes: (1) the introduction of remote WIC services (March 2020) and (2) an increased cash-value benefit for fruits and vegetables, or cash value benefit (June 2021). Monthly likelihood of postinfancy retention in WIC for children, calculated by counting all children younger than 4 years with active WIC certifications each month and dividing by the total number of children who had been certified as infants and stratifying by child age. The secondary outcome was the likelihood of retention plus redeeming any food package benefits. There were 238 482 WIC-participating children across the study period. In the baseline year (105 782 children), the mean (SD) age was 17.0 (14.0) months, half the sample were female (52 505 [50%]). After remote services were implemented, a previously downward monthly trend in retention reversed, steadily increasing each month afterwards, by 1.04 percentage points (pp) (95% CI, 0.48-1.60 pp) for children aged 12 to 23 months, 1.47 pp (95% CI, 1.06-1.87 pp) for children aged 24 to 35 months, and 1.25 pp (95% CI, 0.79-1.72 pp) for children aged 36 to 47 months. The increased cash value benefit (June 2021) was not associated with changes in retention trends overall, but was associated with immediate increases in the likelihood of retention plus benefit usage among children aged 12 to 23 months and 24 to 35 months. In this repeated cross-sectional study, making remote WIC services available was associated with more children staying enrolled. Policy efforts to make remote service options permanent may support WIC utilization.
@article{kenney2026remote,title={Remote Services, Benefits, and Program Retention Changes Among Young Children in WIC},author={Kenney, Erica L. and Lee, Matthew M. and Mozaffarian, Rebecca S. and Rimm, Eric B.},journal={JAMA Network Open},volume={9},number={9},pages={e2636266},year={2026},month=sep,doi={10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.36266},}
SSM Popul Health
Association of pandemic-era US county-level policies with adult health and health behaviors
Emily C.
Dore, Emily
Wright, Kaitlyn E.
Jackson, Guangyi
Wang, Matthew M.
Lee, Mark J.
Pletcher, Thomas W.
Carton, and Rita
Hamad
@article{dore2026association,title={Association of pandemic-era US county-level policies with adult health and health behaviors},author={Dore, Emily C. and Wright, Emily and Jackson, Kaitlyn E. and Wang, Guangyi and Lee, Matthew M. and Pletcher, Mark J. and Carton, Thomas W. and Hamad, Rita},journal={SSM - Population Health},volume={35},pages={101950},year={2026},month=sep,doi={10.1016/j.ssmph.2026.101950},}
Health Aff
WIC Benefits Issued Remotely Increased Participation, Especially In States With Online Benefit Distribution, 2017–21
Emily C.
Dore, Matthew M.
Lee, Margaret
McConnell, and Rita
Hamad
@article{dore2026wic,title={WIC Benefits Issued Remotely Increased Participation, Especially In States With Online Benefit Distribution, 2017–21},author={Dore, Emily C. and Lee, Matthew M. and McConnell, Margaret and Hamad, Rita},journal={Health Affairs},volume={45},number={9},pages={1037--1046},year={2026},month=sep,doi={10.1377/hlthaff.2026.00034},}
Pediatrics
Impacts of Paid Family Leave on Perinatal Health: A Nationwide Quasi-Experimental Study
Matthew M.
Lee, Daniel F.
Collin, Kaitlyn E.
Jackson, Whitney
Wells, and Rita
Hamad
The United States remains the only high-income nation without a national paid family leave (PFL) policy. It also has persistently high maternal and infant mortality rates. Understanding PFL impacts on perinatal health is critical. We determined the impact of state PFL policies on perinatal health, with additional focus on socioeconomic disparities. We analyzed live singleton births using 2016 to 2022 birth certificate data (N = 11 452 411). We conducted a quasi-experimental analysis using heterogeneity-robust differences in differences, comparing pre-post trends in a comprehensive set of perinatal outcomes in jurisdictions with (Connecticut; Washington, DC; Massachusetts; New York; and Washington) and non-South states without PFL. Analyses were additionally stratified by maternal race and ethnicity, education, insurance, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation and adjusted for individual- and state-level time-varying covariates. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy risk decreased by 13% following PFL implementation, as did excess gestational weight gain. PFL implementation was associated with modest increases in small for gestational age (0.290 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, −0.300 to −0.102), preterm birth (0.590 pp; 95% CI, 0.465–0.715), and lower mean birthweight (−5.205 g; 95% CI, −7.096 to −3.314). Socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups saw higher risks of adverse birth outcomes but improved maternal outcomes. This study adds to prior research that found that PFL is associated with improvements in parental health and breastfeeding in the United States. Our findings suggest that state PFL policies had mixed impacts on perinatal health; further investigation of policy parameters and mechanisms is warranted.
@article{lee2026impacts,title={Impacts of Paid Family Leave on Perinatal Health: A Nationwide Quasi-Experimental Study},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Collin, Daniel F. and Jackson, Kaitlyn E. and Wells, Whitney and Hamad, Rita},journal={Pediatrics},volume={158},number={2},pages={e2025074791},year={2026},month=aug,doi={10.1542/peds.2025-074791},}
Pediatrics
Statewide Universal School Meals Policies and Food Insecurity: Difference-in-Differences Analysis
Kelsey L.
Kinderknecht, Eric B.
Rimm, S. Bryn
Austin, Shoba
Ramanadhan, Matthew M.
Lee, and Erica L.
Kenney
The National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, a US program that addresses food insecurity, requires children with higher household incomes to pay for meals. It is unclear whether universal school meals (USM) policies, which make all meals free, further alleviate food insecurity, particularly for students who would otherwise pay. This study estimates the association between statewide USM policies and food insecurity. A difference-in-differences study using a nationally representative sample of US households with 6- to 17-year-old children from 2012 to 2021 and 2023 to 2024. The exposure was maintaining statewide USM policy after 2022, determined based on state of residence. The primary outcome was household food insecurity; the secondary outcome was child food insecurity. Analyses were stratified by household income. The sample included 75 122 households. Households with the highest incomes in USM-maintaining states experienced a 1.3-percentage-point (95% CI: −2.1, −0.5) differential decrease in household food insecurity and a 0.9-percentage-point (95% CI: −1.4, −0.5) differential decrease in child food insecurity. Households with low-middle income in USM-maintaining states experienced a 3.2-percentage-point (95% CI: −6.1, −0.3) differential decrease in household food insecurity but no differential change in child food insecurity. Households with lowest income in USM-maintaining states experienced no differential change in household food insecurity and a 3.8-percentage-point (95% CI: −6.2, −1.5) decrease in child food insecurity, although caution is required because the parallel trends assumption was violated. Implementing statewide USM policies could contribute to decreased food insecurity among households with school-aged children.
@article{kinderknecht2026statewide,title={Statewide Universal School Meals Policies and Food Insecurity: Difference-in-Differences Analysis},author={Kinderknecht, Kelsey L. and Rimm, Eric B. and Austin, S. Bryn and Ramanadhan, Shoba and Lee, Matthew M. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={Pediatrics},volume={158},number={1},pages={e2025073484},year={2026},month=jul,doi={10.1542/peds.2025-073484},}
Nutrients
Changes in Food Security and Diet Quality After the 2021 SNAP Benefit Increase in Massachusetts, USA
Mary Kathryn
Poole, Lauren G.
Fiechtner, Erin
O’Dwyer, Cara F.
Ruggiero, Eric B.
Rimm, Matthew M.
Lee, Kate
Adams, and Erica L.
Kenney
Background/Objectives: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest food assistance program in the United States providing income-eligible households with cash-like assistance to spend on food. In October 2021, a historic policy change permanently increased benefit amounts by 21 percent. This study assessed differences in diet quality and food security, supplemented by participant descriptions of using SNAP, among adults with low incomes residing in the state of Massachusetts from before (October 2020–January 2021) to after (December 2021–February 2022) the benefit increases. Methods: Derived from The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Annual Statewide Survey, our sample included adults with household incomes ≤300% of the federal poverty level who completed diet and food security measures. We calculated Prime Diet Quality Scores (PDQSs), with higher scores reflecting more nutritious diets on a scale of 0–70. Adjusted difference-in-difference regression models evaluated differences in PDQS and food security between SNAP participants and non-participants from before to after the benefit increases. Reflexive thematic analysis of write-in responses summarized experiences with SNAP. Results: Complete data were available for 1051 respondents before and 801 respondents after SNAP benefit increases. We found no significant differences in diet quality or household food security for SNAP participants, compared to non-participants, from before to after the benefit increases. In write-in comments, respondents expressed gratitude for increased benefits but also fear of them being rescinded. Increased benefits helped some better meet food needs, yet many noted rising costs of living prevented benefits from stretching as far. Conclusions: Increased SNAP benefits did not impact food security or diet quality among this sample. SNAP benefits may need to be further increased to meet the nutritional needs of families.
@article{poole2026changes,title={Changes in Food Security and Diet Quality After the 2021 SNAP Benefit Increase in Massachusetts, USA},author={Poole, Mary Kathryn and Fiechtner, Lauren G. and O’Dwyer, Erin and Ruggiero, Cara F. and Rimm, Eric B. and Lee, Matthew M. and Adams, Kate and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={Nutrients},volume={18},number={11},pages={1729},year={2026},month=may,doi={10.3390/nu18111729},}
IJBNPA
Men’s preconception diet quality patterns predict supportive food parenting practices: evidence from a longitudinal cohort study
Mariane H.
De Oliveira, Brian K.
Lo, Matthew M.
Lee, Stephanie
Armbruster, Natalie
Grafft, In Young
Park, Alejandra
Cantu-Aldana, Katherine W.
Bauer, Rebekah Levine
Coley, Sebastien
Haneuse, Kirsten
Davison, and Jess
Haines
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, May 2026
Food parenting practices play a vital role in shaping children’s food intake, yet evidence linking fathers’ earlier diet patterns to later parenting is limited. This study examined the association between fathers’ diet quality patterns during their adolescence and food parenting practices during fatherhood. Data were drawn from Fathers & Families (F&F), a father-based cohort that recruited participants from an ongoing cohort in the United States that has followed participants since adolescence. Participants ( n = 584) reported their dietary intake during adolescence (ages 10–18) using a Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire across multiple survey waves (1996–2011), and reported their food parenting practices using an online survey completed in 2021–2022. Fathers’ diet quality patterns during their adolescence were derived from Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) scores using sequence analysis and hierarchical clustering. Associations between these adolescent diet quality patterns and food parenting practices (coercive control, structure, autonomy support) were estimated with ordinal logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates and family meal frequency measured during adolescence. Three diet quality patterns were identified in adolescence: Low HEI-2020 (50.0%), Declining HEI-2020 (36.5%), and Increasing HEI-2020 (13.5%). Compared to those with Low HEI-2020, fathers demonstrating Increasing HEI-2020 had higher odds of using supportive food parenting practices with their preschool-aged children including higher use of structure-based food parenting practices (OR = 1.93, 95%CI [1.18–3.18]) and lower use of coercive control-based food parenting practices (OR = 0.57, 95%CI [0.36–0.91]). Improving men’s diet quality during adolescence may have enduring benefits, promoting not only healthier adult eating patterns but also more supportive food parenting practices as fathers.
@article{deoliveira2026men,title={Men’s preconception diet quality patterns predict supportive food parenting practices: evidence from a longitudinal cohort study},author={De Oliveira, Mariane H. and Lo, Brian K. and Lee, Matthew M. and Armbruster, Stephanie and Grafft, Natalie and Park, In Young and Cantu-Aldana, Alejandra and Bauer, Katherine W. and Coley, Rebekah Levine and Haneuse, Sebastien and Davison, Kirsten and Haines, Jess},journal={International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity},volume={23},number={1},pages={66},year={2026},month=may,doi={10.1186/s12966-026-01914-z},}
Nat Food
Randomized unconditional cash transfers improved diet quantity and quality in a low-income community in Massachusetts, USA
Matthew M.
Lee, Erica L.
Kenney, Kathryn
Carlson, Eliza
Novick, Pamela
Portocarrero, Eric B.
Rimm, Jarvis T.
Chen, Steven L.
Gortmaker, Briana Joy K.
Stephenson, and Jeffrey
Liebman
@article{lee2026randomized,title={Randomized unconditional cash transfers improved diet quantity and quality in a low-income community in Massachusetts, USA},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Kenney, Erica L. and Carlson, Kathryn and Novick, Eliza and Portocarrero, Pamela and Rimm, Eric B. and Chen, Jarvis T. and Gortmaker, Steven L. and Stephenson, Briana Joy K. and Liebman, Jeffrey},journal={Nature Food},volume={7},number={2},pages={152--162},year={2026},month=feb,doi={10.1038/s43016-026-01301-8},}
2025
AJPH
“I Didn’t Have to Struggle”: Caregivers’ Perspectives on the Synergistic Interplay of WIC and SNAP on Family Health
Cristina M.
Gago, Matthew M.
Lee, Nour M.
Hammad, Jhordan O.
Wynne, Mary Kathryn
Poole, Meghan
Zimmer, Rebecca S.
Mozaffarian, Rachel
Colchamiro, Kelley
May, Eric B.
Rimm, and Erica L.
Kenney
We explored how increased Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits interacted for dually enrolled households. Twenty-five parents dually enrolled in WIC and SNAP in the spring of 2020 shared perceptions of expanded benefits and reduced administrative requirements via semistructured interviews. Specifically, parents shared that benefit increases minimized monthly cycles of limited or uncertain access to food, barriers to WIC redemption led many to prioritize SNAP benefits, reduced administrative requirements facilitated staying enrolled in both programs, and administrative flexibilities and benefit increases supported WIC and SNAP utilization. ( Am J Public Health. 2025;115(12): 1982–1987. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308259 )
@article{gago2025struggle,title={“I Didn't Have to Struggle”: Caregivers’ Perspectives on the Synergistic Interplay of WIC and SNAP on Family Health},author={Gago, Cristina M. and Lee, Matthew M. and Hammad, Nour M. and Wynne, Jhordan O. and Poole, Mary Kathryn and Zimmer, Meghan and Mozaffarian, Rebecca S. and Colchamiro, Rachel and May, Kelley and Rimm, Eric B. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={American Journal of Public Health},volume={115},number={12},pages={1982--1987},year={2025},month=dec,doi={10.2105/AJPH.2025.308259},}
Health Aff
Understanding And Comparing Economic Assistance Models To Improve Food Security And Diet Quality: A Rapid Review
Mary Kathryn
Poole, Matthew M.
Lee, Sara N.
Bleich, and Erica L.
Kenney
@article{poole2025understanding,title={Understanding And Comparing Economic Assistance Models To Improve Food Security And Diet Quality: A Rapid Review},author={Poole, Mary Kathryn and Lee, Matthew M. and Bleich, Sara N. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={Health Affairs},volume={44},number={4},pages={449--457},year={2025},month=apr,doi={10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01352},}
2024
Pediatrics
Trends in Toddler Diet Quality in the United States: 1999 to 2018
Meghan
Zimmer, Matthew M.
Lee, Jiada James
Zhan, Erica L.
Kenney, and Cindy W.
Leung
Diet quality has improved over time for US adults and youth aged ≥2 years. Trends over time and disparities in the diet quality of toddlers 12 through 23 months old have not been documented. Our objective was to investigate the direction and magnitude of toddler diet quality trends from 1999 to 2018 overall and by household socioeconomic status. This serial cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data was performed with 2541 toddlers from 10 NHANES cycles from 1999 to 2018. Dietary intake was measured by NHANES study staff using proxy-reported 24-hour recalls. Healthy Eating Index-Toddlers-2020 total scores (0–100 points, higher scores indicate healthier diets) and component scores were calculated from the 24-hour dietary recalls using the population ratio method. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the association between time in years (measured as the midpoint of each NHANES cycle) and diet quality. Toddler diet quality improved significantly from 1999 to 2018 (P < .001), from 63.7 points on average in 1999-2000 to 67.7 points in 2017-2018. A significant positive linear trend in total diet quality was observed for all socioeconomic status groups (P < .05). Several dietary component scores improved, as follows: Whole Fruits (P < .001), Whole Grains (P = .016), Fatty Acids (P = .002), Refined Grains (P = .009), and Added Sugars (P < .001). Scores did not significantly change for Total Fruit, Total Vegetables, Greens and Beans, Dairy, Total Protein Foods, Seafood and Plant Proteins, Sodium, or Saturated Fats. From 1999 to 2018, toddler diet quality improved significantly, but mean scores still fell short of dietary guidance.
@article{zimmer2024trends,title={Trends in Toddler Diet Quality in the United States: 1999 to 2018},author={Zimmer, Meghan and Lee, Matthew M. and Zhan, Jiada James and Kenney, Erica L. and Leung, Cindy W.},journal={Pediatrics},volume={154},number={6},pages={e2024067783},year={2024},month=dec,doi={10.1542/peds.2024-067783},}
AJCN
Dietaryindex: a user-friendly and versatile R package for standardizing dietary pattern analysis in epidemiological and clinical studies
Jiada J.
Zhan, Rebecca A.
Hodge, Anne L.
Dunlop, Matthew M.
Lee, Linh
Bui, Donghai
Liang, and Erin P.
Ferranti
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 2024
@article{zhan2024dietaryindex,title={Dietaryindex: a user-friendly and versatile R package for standardizing dietary pattern analysis in epidemiological and clinical studies},author={Zhan, Jiada J. and Hodge, Rebecca A. and Dunlop, Anne L. and Lee, Matthew M. and Bui, Linh and Liang, Donghai and Ferranti, Erin P.},journal={The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition},volume={120},number={5},pages={1165--1174},year={2024},month=nov,doi={10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.08.021},}
AJPM
Philadelphia Beverage Tax’s Impact on Beverage Ad Expenditures and Number of Ads Purchased
Sophia V.
Hua, Matthew M.
Lee, Rebecca
Mozaffarian, Sara N.
Bleich, Christina A.
Roberto, Frances
Fleming-Milici, Briana
Stephenson, and Erica L.
Kenney
@article{hua2024philadelphia,title={Philadelphia Beverage Tax's Impact on Beverage Ad Expenditures and Number of Ads Purchased},author={Hua, Sophia V. and Lee, Matthew M. and Mozaffarian, Rebecca and Bleich, Sara N. and Roberto, Christina A. and Fleming-Milici, Frances and Stephenson, Briana and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine},volume={67},number={2},pages={274--281},year={2024},month=aug,doi={10.1016/j.amepre.2024.03.011},}
JAND
Daily Saturated Fat and Sodium Content of Elementary School Meals in a Large Sample of 128 Geographically Diverse School Systems in the United States
Leah Elizabeth
Chapman, Scott A.
Richardson, Eric B.
Rimm, Steven L.
Gortmaker, Matthew M.
Lee, and Juliana F.W.
Cohen
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mar 2024
@article{chapman2024daily,title={Daily Saturated Fat and Sodium Content of Elementary School Meals in a Large Sample of 128 Geographically Diverse School Systems in the United States},author={Chapman, Leah Elizabeth and Richardson, Scott A. and Rimm, Eric B. and Gortmaker, Steven L. and Lee, Matthew M. and Cohen, Juliana F.W.},journal={Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics},volume={124},number={3},pages={346--357.e2},year={2024},month=mar,doi={10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.009},}
AJPM
Advertising and Stocking at Small Retailers: A Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax in Philadelphia
Matthew M.
Lee, Laura A.
Gibson, Sophia V.
Hua, Caitlin M.
Lowery, Maiki
Paul, Christina A.
Roberto, Hannah G.
Lawman, Sara N.
Bleich, Nandita
Mitra, and Erica L.
Kenney
@article{lee2024advertising,title={Advertising and Stocking at Small Retailers: A Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax in Philadelphia},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Gibson, Laura A. and Hua, Sophia V. and Lowery, Caitlin M. and Paul, Maiki and Roberto, Christina A. and Lawman, Hannah G. and Bleich, Sara N. and Mitra, Nandita and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine},volume={66},number={3},pages={408--417},year={2024},month=mar,doi={10.1016/j.amepre.2023.09.022},}
Pediatrics
Cost-effectiveness of Improved WIC Food Package for Preventing Childhood Obesity
Erica L.
Kenney, Matthew M.
Lee, Jessica L.
Barrett, Zachary J.
Ward, Michael W.
Long, Angie L.
Cradock, David R.
Williams, and Steven L.
Gortmaker
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) prevents food insecurity and supports nutrition for more than 3 million low-income young children. Our objectives were to determine the cost-effectiveness of changes to WIC’s nutrition standards in 2009 for preventing obesity and to estimate impacts on socioeconomic and racial/ethnic inequities. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to estimate impacts from 2010 through 2019 of the 2009 WIC food package change on obesity risk for children aged 2 to 4 years participating in WIC. Microsimulation models estimated the cases of obesity prevented in 2019 and costs per quality-adjusted-life year gained. An estimated 14.0 million 2- to 4-year old US children (95% uncertainty interval (UI), 13.7–14.2 million) were reached by the updated WIC nutrition standards from 2010 through 2019. In 2019, an estimated 62 700 (95% UI, 53 900–71 100) cases of childhood obesity were prevented, entirely among children from households with low incomes, leading to improved health equity. The update was estimated to cost 10 600 per quality-adjusted-life year gained (95% UI, 9760–$11 700). If WIC had reached all eligible children, more than twice as many cases of childhood obesity would have been prevented. Updates to WIC’s nutrition standards for young children in 2009 were estimated to be highly cost-effective for preventing childhood obesity and contributed to reducing socioeconomic and racial/ethnic inequities in obesity prevalence. Improving nutrition policies for young children can be a sound public health investment; future research should explore how to improve access to them.
@article{kenney2024cost,title={Cost-effectiveness of Improved WIC Food Package for Preventing Childhood Obesity},author={Kenney, Erica L. and Lee, Matthew M. and Barrett, Jessica L. and Ward, Zachary J. and Long, Michael W. and Cradock, Angie L. and Williams, David R. and Gortmaker, Steven L.},journal={Pediatrics},volume={153},number={2},pages={e2023063182},year={2024},month=jan,doi={10.1542/peds.2023-063182},}
AJPM
A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax in California: Projected Benefits for Population Obesity and Health Equity
Matthew M.
Lee, Jessica L.
Barrett, Erica L.
Kenney, Jessie
Gouck, Lauren M.
Whetstone, Stephanie M.
McCulloch, Angie L.
Cradock, Michael W.
Long, Zachary J.
Ward, Benjamin
Rohrer, David R.
Williams, and Steven L.
Gortmaker
@article{lee2024sugar,title={A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax in California: Projected Benefits for Population Obesity and Health Equity},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Barrett, Jessica L. and Kenney, Erica L. and Gouck, Jessie and Whetstone, Lauren M. and McCulloch, Stephanie M. and Cradock, Angie L. and Long, Michael W. and Ward, Zachary J. and Rohrer, Benjamin and Williams, David R. and Gortmaker, Steven L.},journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine},volume={66},number={1},pages={94--103},year={2024},month=jan,doi={10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.004},}
2023
Front Nutr
Food insecurity and the role of food assistance programs in supporting diet quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts
Matthew M.
Lee, Mary Kathryn
Poole, Rachel M.
Zack, Lauren
Fiechtner, Eric B.
Rimm, and Erica L.
Kenney
Economic and supply chain shocks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to substantial increases in the numbers of individuals experiencing food-related hardship in the US, with programs aimed at addressing food insecurity like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and food pantries seeing significant upticks in utilization. While these programs have improved food access overall, the extent to which diet quality changed, and whether they helped mitigate diet quality disruptions, is not well understood. To evaluate food insecurity, food pantry and/or SNAP participation associations with both diet quality as well as perceived disruptions in diet during the COVID-19 pandemic among Massachusetts adults with lower incomes. We analyzed complete-case data from 1,256 individuals with complete data from a cross-sectional online survey of adults (ages 18 years and above) living in Massachusetts who responded to “The MA Statewide Food Access Survey” between October 2020 through January 2021. Study recruitment and survey administration were performed by The Greater Boston Food Bank. We excluded respondents who reported participation in assistance programs but were ineligible ( n = 168), those who provided straightlined responses to the food frequency questionnaire component of the survey ( n = 34), those with incomes above 300% of the federal poverty level ( n = 1,427), those who completed the survey in 2021 ( n = 8), and those who reported improved food insecurity ( n = 55). Current dietary intake was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. Using Bayesian regression models, we examined associations between pandemic food insecurity, perceived disruption in diet, diet quality, and intakes of individual foods among those who completed a survey in 2020. We assessed interactions by pantry and SNAP participation to determine whether participation moderated these relationships. Individuals experiencing food insecurity reported greater disruption in diet during the pandemic and reduced consumption of healthy/unhealthy foods. Pantry participation attenuated significant associations between food insecurity and lower consumption of unhealthy ( b = −1.13 [95% CI −1.97 to −0.31]) and healthy foods ( b = −1.07 [−1.82 to −0.34]) to null (unhealthy foods: −0.70 [−2.24 to 0.84]; healthy foods: 0.30 [−1.17 to 1.74]), whereas SNAP participation attenuated associations for healthy foods alone (from −1.07 [−1.82 to −0.34] to −0.75 [−1.83 to 0.32]). Results were robust to choice of prior as well as to alternative modeling specifications. Among adults with lower incomes, those experiencing food insecurity consumed less food, regardless of healthfulness, compared to individuals not experiencing food insecurity. Participation in safety-net programs, including SNAP and pantry participation, buffered this phenomenon. Continued support of SNAP and the food bank network and a focus on access to affordable healthy foods may simultaneously alleviate hunger while improving nutrition security.
@article{lee2023food,title={Food insecurity and the role of food assistance programs in supporting diet quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Poole, Mary Kathryn and Zack, Rachel M. and Fiechtner, Lauren and Rimm, Eric B. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={Frontiers in Nutrition},volume={9},pages={1007177},year={2023},month=jan,doi={10.3389/fnut.2022.1007177},}
2022
JAMA Netw Open
Simplification of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recertification Processes and Association With Uninterrupted Access to Benefits Among Participants With Young Children
Erica L.
Kenney, Mark J.
Soto, Michael
Fubini, Ashley
Carleton, Matthew M.
Lee, and Sara N.
Bleich
@article{kenney2022simplification,title={Simplification of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recertification Processes and Association With Uninterrupted Access to Benefits Among Participants With Young Children},author={Kenney, Erica L. and Soto, Mark J. and Fubini, Michael and Carleton, Ashley and Lee, Matthew M. and Bleich, Sara N.},journal={JAMA Network Open},volume={5},number={9},pages={e2230150},year={2022},month=sep,doi={10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30150},}
AJPM
U.S. Nutrition Assistance Program Participation and Childhood Obesity: The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study 2011
Matthew M.
Lee, Eliza W.
Kinsey, and Erica L.
Kenney
@article{lee2022nutrition,title={U.S. Nutrition Assistance Program Participation and Childhood Obesity: The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study 2011},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Kinsey, Eliza W. and Kenney, Erica L.},journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine},volume={63},number={2},pages={242--250},year={2022},month=aug,doi={10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.016},}
Prev Med Rep
Socioeconomic disparities in outdoor branded advertising in San Francisco and Oakland, California
Neha
Zahid, Richard
Pulvera, Kristine A.
Madsen, Matthew M.
Lee, Ana
Ibarra-Castro, and Jennifer
Falbe
@article{zahid2022socioeconomic,title={Socioeconomic disparities in outdoor branded advertising in San Francisco and Oakland, California},author={Zahid, Neha and Pulvera, Richard and Madsen, Kristine A. and Lee, Matthew M. and Ibarra-Castro, Ana and Falbe, Jennifer},journal={Preventive Medicine Reports},volume={27},pages={101796},year={2022},month=jun,doi={10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101796},}
AJPM
Longitudinal Analysis of Food Insufficiency and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the CARDIA study
Kelsey A.
Vercammen, Alyssa J.
Moran, Mercedes R.
Carnethon, Amanda C.
McClain, Lindsay R.
Pool, Catarina I.
Kiefe, April P.
Carson, Penny
Gordon-Larsen, Lyn M.
Steffen, Matthew M.
Lee, Jessica G.
Young, and Eric B.
Rimm
@article{vercammen2022longitudinal,title={Longitudinal Analysis of Food Insufficiency and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the CARDIA study},author={Vercammen, Kelsey A. and Moran, Alyssa J. and Carnethon, Mercedes R. and McClain, Amanda C. and Pool, Lindsay R. and Kiefe, Catarina I. and Carson, April P. and Gordon-Larsen, Penny and Steffen, Lyn M. and Lee, Matthew M. and Young, Jessica G. and Rimm, Eric B.},journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine},volume={62},number={1},pages={65--76},year={2022},month=jan,doi={10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.020},}
2021
Front Nutr
Weight Stigma and Social Media: Evidence and Public Health Solutions
Olivia
Clark†, Matthew M.
Lee†, Muksha Luxmi
Jingree, Erin
O’Dwyer, Yiyang
Yue, Abrania
Marrero, Martha
Tamez, Shilpa N.
Bhupathiraju, and Josiemer
Mattei
Weight stigma is a pressing issue that affects individuals across the weight distribution. The role of social media in both alleviating and exacerbating weight bias has received growing attention. On one hand, biased algorithms on social media platforms may filter out posts from individuals in stigmatized groups and concentrate exposure to content that perpetuates problematic norms about weight. Individuals may also be more likely to engage in attacks due to increased anonymity and lack of substantive consequences online. The critical influence of social media in shaping beliefs may also lead to the internalization of weight stigma. However, social media could also be used as a positive agent of change. Movements such as Body Positivity, the Fatosphere, and Health at Every Size have helped counter negative stereotypes and provide more inclusive spaces. To support these efforts, governments should continue to explore legislative solutions to enact anti-weight discrimination policies, and platforms should invest in diverse content moderation teams with dedicated weight bias training while interrogating bias in existing algorithms. Public health practitioners and clinicians should leverage social media as a tool in weight management interventions and increase awareness of stigmatizing online content among their patients. Finally, researchers must explore how experiences of stigma differ across in-person and virtual settings and critically evaluate existing research methodologies and terminology. Addressing weight stigma on social media will take a concerted effort across an expansive set of stakeholders, but the benefits to population health are consequential and well-worth our collective attention.
@article{clark2021weight,title={Weight Stigma and Social Media: Evidence and Public Health Solutions},author={Clark, Olivia and Lee, Matthew M. and Jingree, Muksha Luxmi and O'Dwyer, Erin and Yue, Yiyang and Marrero, Abrania and Tamez, Martha and Bhupathiraju, Shilpa N. and Mattei, Josiemer},journal={Frontiers in Nutrition},volume={8},pages={739056},year={2021},month=nov,doi={10.3389/fnut.2021.739056},}
PCD
Secular Trends in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Adults, Teens, and Children: The California Health Interview Survey, 2011–2018
Matthew M.
Lee, Emily
Altman, and Kristine A.
Madsen
@article{lee2021secular,title={Secular Trends in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Adults, Teens, and Children: The California Health Interview Survey, 2011–2018},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Altman, Emily and Madsen, Kristine A.},journal={Preventing Chronic Disease},volume={18},pages={200399},year={2021},month=feb,doi={10.5888/pcd18.200399},}
2020
Prev Med Rep
Retailer perspectives on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the California Bay Area
Julian
Ponce, Haoxuan
Yuan, Dean
Schillinger, Hina
Mahmood, Matthew M.
Lee, Jen
Falbe, Ryane
Daniels, and Kristine A.
Madsen
@article{ponce2020retailer,title={Retailer perspectives on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the California Bay Area},author={Ponce, Julian and Yuan, Haoxuan and Schillinger, Dean and Mahmood, Hina and Lee, Matthew M. and Falbe, Jen and Daniels, Ryane and Madsen, Kristine A.},journal={Preventive Medicine Reports},volume={19},pages={101129},year={2020},month=sep,doi={10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101129},}
AJPH
Higher Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Retail Prices After Excise Taxes in Oakland and San Francisco
Jennifer
Falbe, Matthew M.
Lee, Scott
Kaplan, Nadia A.
Rojas, Alberto M.
Ortega Hinojosa, and Kristine A.
Madsen
Objectives. To examine how much sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise taxes increased SSB retail prices in Oakland and San Francisco, California. Methods. We collected pretax (April–May 2017) and posttax (April–May 2018) retail prices of SSBs and non-SSBs from 155 stores in Oakland, San Francisco, and comparison cities. We analyzed data using difference-in-differences high-dimensional fixed-effects regressions, weighted by regional beverage sales. Results. Across all beverage sizes, the weighted average price of SSBs increased by 0.92 cents per ounce (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28, 1.56) in Oakland and 1.00 cents per ounce (95% CI = 0.35, 1.65) in San Francisco, compared with prices in untaxed cities. The tax did not significantly alter prices of water, 100% juice, or milk of any size examined. Diet soda only, among non-SSBs, exhibited a higher price increase for some sizes in taxed cities. Conclusions. Within 4 to 10 months of implementation, Oakland’s and San Francisco’s SSB excise taxes significantly increased SSB retail prices by approximately the amount of the taxes, a key mechanism for reducing consumption.
@article{falbe2020higher,title={Higher Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Retail Prices After Excise Taxes in Oakland and San Francisco},author={Falbe, Jennifer and Lee, Matthew M. and Kaplan, Scott and Rojas, Nadia A. and Ortega Hinojosa, Alberto M. and Madsen, Kristine A.},journal={American Journal of Public Health},volume={110},number={7},pages={1017--1023},year={2020},month=jul,doi={10.2105/AJPH.2020.305602},}
2019
IJERPH
Gentrification and Displacement in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Comparison of Measurement Approaches
Mahasin S.
Mujahid, Elizabeth Kelley
Sohn, Jacob
Izenberg, Xing
Gao, Melody E.
Tulier, Matthew M.
Lee, and Irene H.
Yen
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Jun 2019
Gentrification may play an important role in influencing health outcomes, but few studies have examined these associations. One major barrier to producing empirical evidence to establish this link is that there is little consensus on how to measure gentrification. To address this barrier, we compared three gentrification classification methodologies in relation to their ability to identify neighborhood gentrification in nine San Francisco Bay Area counties: the Freeman method, the Landis method, and the Urban Displacement Project (UDP) Regional Early Warning System. In the 1580 census tracts, 43% of the population had a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average median household income was $79,671 in 2013. A comparison of gentrification methodologies revealed that the Landis and Freeman methodologies characterized the vast majority of census tracts as stable, and only 5.2% and 6.1% of tracts as gentrifying. UDP characterized 46.7% of tracts at risk, undergoing, or experiencing advanced stages of gentrification and displacement. There was substantial variation in the geographic location of tracts identified as gentrifying across methods. Given the variation in characterizations of gentrification across measures, studies evaluating associations between gentrification and health should consider using multiple measures of gentrification to examine the robustness of the study findings across measures.
@article{mujahid2019gentrification,title={Gentrification and Displacement in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Comparison of Measurement Approaches},author={Mujahid, Mahasin S. and Sohn, Elizabeth Kelley and Izenberg, Jacob and Gao, Xing and Tulier, Melody E. and Lee, Matthew M. and Yen, Irene H.},journal={International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health},volume={16},number={12},pages={2246},year={2019},month=jun,doi={10.3390/ijerph16122246},}
PCD
Secular Trends in Soda Consumption, California, 2011–2016
Matthew M.
Lee, Jennifer
Falbe, and Kristine A.
Madsen
@article{lee2019secular,title={Secular Trends in Soda Consumption, California, 2011–2016},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Falbe, Jennifer and Madsen, Kristine A.},journal={Preventing Chronic Disease},volume={16},pages={180372},year={2019},month=may,doi={10.5888/pcd16.180372},}
AJPH
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption 3 Years After the Berkeley, California, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
Matthew M.
Lee, Jennifer
Falbe, Dean
Schillinger, Sanjay
Basu, Charles E.
McCulloch, and Kristine A.
Madsen
Objectives. To estimate changes in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and water consumption 3 years after an SSB tax in Berkeley, California, relative to unexposed comparison neighborhoods. Methods. Data came from repeated annual cross-sectional beverage frequency questionnaires from 2014 to 2017 in demographically diverse Berkeley (n = 1513) and comparison (San Francisco and Oakland; n = 3712) neighborhoods. Pretax consumption (2014) was compared with a weighted average of 3 years of posttax consumption. Results. At baseline, SSBs were consumed 1.25 times per day (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00, 1.50) in Berkeley and 1.27 times per day (95% CI = 1.13, 1.42) in comparison city neighborhoods. When we adjusted for covariates, consumption in Berkeley declined by 0.55 times per day (95% CI = −0.75, −0.35) for SSBs and increased by 1.02 times per day (95% CI = 0.54, 1.50) for water. Changes in consumption in Berkeley were significantly different from those in the comparison group, which saw no significant changes. Conclusions. Reductions in SSB consumption were sustained in demographically diverse Berkeley neighborhoods over the first 3 years of an SSB tax, relative to comparison cities. These persistent, longer-term reductions in SSB consumption suggest that SSB taxes are an effective policy option for jurisdictions focused on improving public health.
@article{lee2019sugar,title={Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption 3 Years After the Berkeley, California, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax},author={Lee, Matthew M. and Falbe, Jennifer and Schillinger, Dean and Basu, Sanjay and McCulloch, Charles E. and Madsen, Kristine A.},journal={American Journal of Public Health},volume={109},number={4},pages={637--639},year={2019},month=apr,doi={10.2105/AJPH.2019.304971},}
Under review
Behavioral strategies to increase take-up of health-promoting anti-poverty benefits: A randomized pilot trial and mixed-methods evaluation among California WIC
M. M.
Lee, K. E.
Jackson, N.
Fernández-Viña, S. S.
Dougan, W.
Gosliner, R.
Hamad, J. S.
White, M.
de Trinidad Young, and L. C. H.
Fernald
@unpublished{lee2026behavioral,title={Behavioral strategies to increase take-up of health-promoting anti-poverty benefits: A randomized pilot trial and mixed-methods evaluation among California WIC},author={Lee, M. M. and Jackson, K. E. and Fernández-Viña, N. and Dougan, S. S. and Gosliner, W. and Hamad, R. and White, J. S. and {de Trinidad Young}, M. and Fernald, L. C. H.},note={Under review at <em>Preventive Medicine</em>}}
Impacts of county-level COVID-19 policies on child food insecurity and health: findings from the National Health Interview Survey
E. C.
Dore†, M. M.
Lee†, K. E.
Jackson, T.
Carton, M. J.
Pletcher, and R.
Hamad
@unpublished{dore2026child,title={Impacts of county-level COVID-19 policies on child food insecurity and health: findings from the National Health Interview Survey},author={Dore, E. C. and Lee, M. M. and Jackson, K. E. and Carton, T. and Pletcher, M. J. and Hamad, R.},note={Under review at <em>The Milbank Quarterly</em>}}
Association between County-Level COVID-19 Policies and Adult Health: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey
E. C.
Dore, M. M.
Lee, K. E.
Jackson, T.
Carton, M. J.
Pletcher, and R.
Hamad
@unpublished{dore2026adult,title={Association between County-Level COVID-19 Policies and Adult Health: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey},author={Dore, E. C. and Lee, M. M. and Jackson, K. E. and Carton, T. and Pletcher, M. J. and Hamad, R.},note={Under review at <em>Public Health Reports</em>}}
The association of pandemic-era county policies with mental healthcare utilization among US adults
K. E.
Jackson, E.
Wright, G.
Wang, E. C.
Dore, M. M.
Lee, M. J.
Pletcher, T. W.
Carton, and R.
Hamad
@unpublished{jackson2026mental,title={The association of pandemic-era county policies with mental healthcare utilization among US adults},author={Jackson, K. E. and Wright, E. and Wang, G. and Dore, E. C. and Lee, M. M. and Pletcher, M. J. and Carton, T. W. and Hamad, R.},note={Under review at <em>American Journal of Public Health</em>}}
Reports and commentary
What keeps us up at night: Reflections from a lost generation of scientists
@misc{stelson2025keeps,title={What keeps us up at night: Reflections from a lost generation of scientists},author={Stelson, E. A. and Lee, M. M. and Poole, M. K.},note={<em>The Milbank Quarterly</em>, June 2025}}