The Family Resiliency Center (FRC), the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Dairy Research Institute (DRI), a non-profit research organization established by America’s dairy farmers, has formed a new partnership that aims to help fill critical research gaps in how healthy eating habits are formed from the earliest ages.
The “STRONG Kids 2: A cells-to-society approach to nutrition” project, for which DRI is providing $1 million of support over five years, will provide unique insights into how individual biology interacts with the family environment to promote healthy eating habits, including milk and dairy consumption, in young children.It is one of the first longitudinal studies to take a look at the interaction between biological and environmental factors in predicting eating habits, starting at birth, according to the organizations.
“For generations, dairy farmers have been committed to children’s health, wellness and learning,” says DRI President Greg Miller.
“We’re proud to be part of this important research initiative that will provide critical new insights for health and wellness professionals to use in helping kids establish good nutrition habits they need for a lifetime, such as drinking milk.”
The project is part of the larger STRONG Kids Program based at the FRC and is being co-directed by Drs. Barbara Fiese and Sharon Donovan.
It builds upon previous research with preschool age children, Fiese says, documenting the relationship among genetic, child and family factors in predicting BMI and dietary habits. PD
—From University of Illinois news release
