Tufts University
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
150 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
The Friedman School is doing important work locally and globally in all areas of nutrition science and policy. We hope to illustrate the depth and breadth of our research and impact by detailing some of our projects and initiatives, both active and past. Browse activities using our major theme areas, or navigate using the map. Read more about our research funding principles.
In 1998, New Entry was launched by The Friedman School in order to develop a cost-effective strategy to integrate recent immigrants and refugees with farming backgrounds into Massachusetts agriculture. In 2007, New Entry conducted a broad environmental analysis of the burgeoning food movement and expanded its target audience to beginning farmers of all backgrounds with a desire to grow food to create a resilient local food economy.
The Friedman Nutrition Internet Radio Program was a one-hour broadcast that presented food news and science to use. The goal of the program was to passionately advance the well being of people worldwide by communicating key nutrition topics through the use of podcasts. The program was developed and run by Friedman students.
The Dollar Store Interview study is a project designed to understand consumer motivations for shopping at dollar stores and factors influencing retail decision-making among dollar store shoppers. A primary aim of this work is to highlight consumers’ decision-making in their own words and understand how this may have shifted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard. was a 3-year (2002-2005), environmental change intervention designed to prevent obesity in culturally diverse, high-risk, early-elementary school children. Led by Dr. Christina Economos (N96), the Shape Up team developed and implemented strategies designed to create energy balance for 1st-3rd graders in Somerville. In before-, during-, and after-school environments, interventions were focused on increasing the number of physical activity options available to children throughout the day and on improving dietary choices.
Shape Up Under 5 (SUU5) is a pilot obesity prevention intervention in Somerville, MA as part of the COMPACT study, a 5-year NIH grant that brings together researchers from across the world to apply the principles of systems science to community-based childhood obesity preventions. The project united the work of early childhood advocates from different sectors (the ‘SUU5 Committee’) to create and promote a common set of evidence-based messages on healthy growth.
Snack It Up Phase II is a program that seeks to improve fruit and vegetable intake for children outside of school.
StrongWomen envisions a diverse community of women who are fit, strong, and healthy; in turn these empowered women become agents of change for their families, communities, and beyond.
The Tea & Climate Change Collaborative is an interdisciplinary team of scientists working together to addresses critical knowledge gaps related to climate effects on tea quality and their corresponding socio-economic responses.
What influences cancer survivors’ eating patterns? Our research team at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is conducting a survey to understand cancer survivors’ nutritional needs and the challenges they face in making healthy food choices.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease and it is estimated that six million children are currently vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency is even more common in northern latitudes, amongst some minority groups with darker skin pigmentation, and in those who are overweight or obese. In these groups, higher supplemental doses may be needed to maintain optimal serum levels and to prevent cardiovascular risk.
