Erica L Kenney
Biographic Data
| ID | 1731898 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Erica L Kenney |
| GIVEN NAMES | Erica L |
| FAMILY NAME | Kenney |
| SIGNATURE | KENNEY E L |
| AFFILIATIONS | Harvard University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1437-3724 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 23 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 20 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
A qualitative exploration of food access among refugees resettling in Massachusetts
Food insecurity is a major public health problem that disproportionately impacts marginalized populations, including refugees. This study qualitatively explores how newly resettled refugees in Massachusetts experience and navigate food access using modified Photovoice, a community-based participatory research methodology. Participants were recruited through a Massachusetts-based refugee resettlement agency and asked to submit 5-10 photos reflecti…
Greenwashed groceries
Are food and nutrition assistance programs fostering an equitable early care and education (ECE) food environment? A systematic review utilizing the RE-AIM framework
I Didn't Have to Struggle”
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 mini…
It Is Back to School Time—The Status of Healthy School Meals for All Students
This JAMA Forum discusses key government efforts to advance the availability of healthy school meals, the evidence of the effects of these efforts, and the role for health professionals
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program issuance timing is associated with sugar-sweetened beverage marketing in the USA
Objective: Prior research has shown that there are more supermarket displays of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) during times when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are distributed (‘issuance periods’). This may contribute to inequitable purchasing and consumption. This study examines whether SSB marketing in weekly supermarket circulars, which retailers use to advertise products, is more prevalent during issuance periods c…
Opportunities to Promote Food and Nutrition Security as the Federal Public Health Emergency Ends
This JAMA Forum discusses key changes to the social safety net after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends and provides information regarding the ways health care professionals can support individuals experiencing food and nutrition security
Comparison of foods and beverages served and consumed in Child and Adult Care Food Program-participating childcare centres to national guidelines
Objective: The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sets minimum nutrition and portion size standards for meals served in participating childcare programs. CACFP has been associated with more nutritious meals served. It is unclear, however, whether CACFP results in children’s dietary intake being aligned with national recommendations. We assess whether children’s dietary intake in CACFP-participating childcare centres meets benchmark…
“It's Not the Stereotypical 80s Movie Bullying”
BACKGROUND: Schools are crucial for preventing negative health outcomes in youth and are an ideal setting to address weight stigma and poor body image. The current study sought to examine and describe the nature of weight stigma and body image in adolescents, ascertain aspects of the school environment that affect body image, and identify recommendations for schools. METHODS: We conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with students at 2 high scho…
Moving from Policy to Practice for Early Childhood Obesity Prevention
Policies requiring childcare settings to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and limited screentime have the potential to improve young children's health. However, policies may have limited impact without effective implementation strategies to promote policy adoption. In this mixed-methods study, we evaluated the type, quality, and dose of implementation strategies for state-level childcare licensing regulations focused on healthy eating, …
Exploring a theory of change
Acceptability and appropriateness of a novel parent-staff co-leadership model for childhood obesity prevention in Head Start
clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03334669 (7-11-17)
A Safety Net Unraveling
The emergence of COVID-19 in the United States led most states to close or severely limit the capacity of their early child-care and education (ECE) programs. This loss affected millions of young children, including many of the 4.6 million low-income children who are provided free meals and snacks by their ECE programs through support from the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Although Congress swiftly authorized waivers that wou…
Feeding Low-Income Children during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Feeding Low-Income Children during the Pandemic U.S. government programs serve nearly 35 million children daily, delivering vital nutrition and financial assistance to families in need. With such p...
Impact of changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program on children’s dietary intake in family child care homes
Objective: To estimate the impact of recent changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern on young children’s diets in family child care homes (FCCHs) serving racially/ethnically diverse children. Design: In a natural experimental study of thirteen CACFP-participating FCCHs, we used digital photographs taken of children’s plates before and after meals matched with menus to measure children’s dietary intake both prior to im…
Providing Students with Adequate School Drinking Water Access in an Era of Aging Infrastructure
Ensuring students' access to safe drinking water at school is essential. However, many schools struggle with aging infrastructure and subsequent water safety problems and have turned to bottled water delivery systems. Little is known about whether such systems are feasible and effective in providing adequate student water access. This study was a mixed-methods investigation among six schools in an urban district in the U.S. with two types of wate…
Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Hydration Status Among US Adults and the Role of Tap Water and Other Beverage Intake
Objectives. To evaluate whether differences in tap water and other beverage intake explain differences in inadequate hydration among US adults by race/ethnicity and income. Methods. We estimated the prevalence of inadequate hydration (urine osmolality ≥ 800 mOsm/kg) by race/ethnicity and income of 8258 participants aged 20 to 74 years in the 2009 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using multivariable regression models, we e…
Kenney et al. Respond
AffiliationsErica L. Kenney, Angie L. Cradock, and Steven L. Gortmaker are with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Michael W. Long is with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Objectives. We evaluated the hydration status of US children and adolescents. Methods. The sample included 4134 participants aged 6 to 19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2012. We calculated mean urine osmolality and the proportion with inadequate hydration (urine osmolality > 800 mOsm/kg). We calculated multivariable regression models to estimate the associations between demographic factors, beverage int…
Grab a Cup, Fill It Up! An Intervention to Promote the Convenience of Drinking Water and Increase Student Water Consumption During School Lunch
Objectives. We evaluated a low-cost strategy for schools to improve the convenience and appeal of drinking water. Methods. We conducted a group-randomized, controlled trial in 10 Boston, Massachusetts, schools in April through June 2013 to test a cafeteria-based intervention. Signage promoting water and disposable cups were installed near water sources. Mixed linear regression models adjusting for clustering evaluated the intervention impact on a…
A Safety Net Unraveling
The emergence of COVID-19 in the United States led most states to close or severely limit the capacity of their early child-care and education (ECE) programs. This loss affected millions of young children, including many of the 4.6 million low-income children who are provided free meals and snacks by their ECE programs through support from the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Although Congress swiftly authorized waivers that wou…
Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Hydration Status Among US Adults and the Role of Tap Water and Other Beverage Intake
Objectives. To evaluate whether differences in tap water and other beverage intake explain differences in inadequate hydration among US adults by race/ethnicity and income. Methods. We estimated the prevalence of inadequate hydration (urine osmolality ≥ 800 mOsm/kg) by race/ethnicity and income of 8258 participants aged 20 to 74 years in the 2009 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using multivariable regression models, we e…
Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Objectives. We evaluated the hydration status of US children and adolescents. Methods. The sample included 4134 participants aged 6 to 19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2012. We calculated mean urine osmolality and the proportion with inadequate hydration (urine osmolality > 800 mOsm/kg). We calculated multivariable regression models to estimate the associations between demographic factors, beverage int…
Grab a Cup, Fill It Up! An Intervention to Promote the Convenience of Drinking Water and Increase Student Water Consumption During School Lunch
Objectives. We evaluated a low-cost strategy for schools to improve the convenience and appeal of drinking water. Methods. We conducted a group-randomized, controlled trial in 10 Boston, Massachusetts, schools in April through June 2013 to test a cafeteria-based intervention. Signage promoting water and disposable cups were installed near water sources. Mixed linear regression models adjusting for clustering evaluated the intervention impact on a…
Kenney et al. Respond
AffiliationsErica L. Kenney, Angie L. Cradock, and Steven L. Gortmaker are with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Michael W. Long is with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Objectives. We evaluated the hydration status of US children and adolescents. Methods. The sample included 4134 participants aged 6 to 19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2012. We calculated mean urine osmolality and the proportion with inadequate hydration (urine osmolality > 800 mOsm/kg). We calculated multivariable regression models to estimate the associations between demographic factors, beverage int…
Grab a Cup, Fill It Up! An Intervention to Promote the Convenience of Drinking Water and Increase Student Water Consumption During School Lunch
Objectives. We evaluated a low-cost strategy for schools to improve the convenience and appeal of drinking water. Methods. We conducted a group-randomized, controlled trial in 10 Boston, Massachusetts, schools in April through June 2013 to test a cafeteria-based intervention. Signage promoting water and disposable cups were installed near water sources. Mixed linear regression models adjusting for clustering evaluated the intervention impact on a…
Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Hydration Status Among US Adults and the Role of Tap Water and Other Beverage Intake
Objectives. To evaluate whether differences in tap water and other beverage intake explain differences in inadequate hydration among US adults by race/ethnicity and income. Methods. We estimated the prevalence of inadequate hydration (urine osmolality ≥ 800 mOsm/kg) by race/ethnicity and income of 8258 participants aged 20 to 74 years in the 2009 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using multivariable regression models, we e…
Providing Students with Adequate School Drinking Water Access in an Era of Aging Infrastructure
Ensuring students' access to safe drinking water at school is essential. However, many schools struggle with aging infrastructure and subsequent water safety problems and have turned to bottled water delivery systems. Little is known about whether such systems are feasible and effective in providing adequate student water access. This study was a mixed-methods investigation among six schools in an urban district in the U.S. with two types of wate…
Feeding Low-Income Children during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Feeding Low-Income Children during the Pandemic U.S. government programs serve nearly 35 million children daily, delivering vital nutrition and financial assistance to families in need. With such p...
Impact of changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program on children’s dietary intake in family child care homes
Objective: To estimate the impact of recent changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern on young children’s diets in family child care homes (FCCHs) serving racially/ethnically diverse children. Design: In a natural experimental study of thirteen CACFP-participating FCCHs, we used digital photographs taken of children’s plates before and after meals matched with menus to measure children’s dietary intake both prior to im…
Acceptability and appropriateness of a novel parent-staff co-leadership model for childhood obesity prevention in Head Start
clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03334669 (7-11-17)
A Safety Net Unraveling
The emergence of COVID-19 in the United States led most states to close or severely limit the capacity of their early child-care and education (ECE) programs. This loss affected millions of young children, including many of the 4.6 million low-income children who are provided free meals and snacks by their ECE programs through support from the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Although Congress swiftly authorized waivers that wou…
“It's Not the Stereotypical 80s Movie Bullying”
BACKGROUND: Schools are crucial for preventing negative health outcomes in youth and are an ideal setting to address weight stigma and poor body image. The current study sought to examine and describe the nature of weight stigma and body image in adolescents, ascertain aspects of the school environment that affect body image, and identify recommendations for schools. METHODS: We conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with students at 2 high scho…
Moving from Policy to Practice for Early Childhood Obesity Prevention
Policies requiring childcare settings to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and limited screentime have the potential to improve young children's health. However, policies may have limited impact without effective implementation strategies to promote policy adoption. In this mixed-methods study, we evaluated the type, quality, and dose of implementation strategies for state-level childcare licensing regulations focused on healthy eating, …
Exploring a theory of change
Opportunities to Promote Food and Nutrition Security as the Federal Public Health Emergency Ends
This JAMA Forum discusses key changes to the social safety net after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends and provides information regarding the ways health care professionals can support individuals experiencing food and nutrition security
Comparison of foods and beverages served and consumed in Child and Adult Care Food Program-participating childcare centres to national guidelines
Objective: The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sets minimum nutrition and portion size standards for meals served in participating childcare programs. CACFP has been associated with more nutritious meals served. It is unclear, however, whether CACFP results in children’s dietary intake being aligned with national recommendations. We assess whether children’s dietary intake in CACFP-participating childcare centres meets benchmark…
It Is Back to School Time—The Status of Healthy School Meals for All Students
This JAMA Forum discusses key government efforts to advance the availability of healthy school meals, the evidence of the effects of these efforts, and the role for health professionals
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program issuance timing is associated with sugar-sweetened beverage marketing in the USA
Objective: Prior research has shown that there are more supermarket displays of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) during times when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are distributed (‘issuance periods’). This may contribute to inequitable purchasing and consumption. This study examines whether SSB marketing in weekly supermarket circulars, which retailers use to advertise products, is more prevalent during issuance periods c…
Are food and nutrition assistance programs fostering an equitable early care and education (ECE) food environment? A systematic review utilizing the RE-AIM framework
I Didn't Have to Struggle”
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 mini…
A qualitative exploration of food access among refugees resettling in Massachusetts
Food insecurity is a major public health problem that disproportionately impacts marginalized populations, including refugees. This study qualitatively explores how newly resettled refugees in Massachusetts experience and navigate food access using modified Photovoice, a community-based participatory research methodology. Participants were recruited through a Massachusetts-based refugee resettlement agency and asked to submit 5-10 photos reflecti…
Greenwashed groceries
Medicine (15 works) · Environmental health (11 works) · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations (9 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (8 works) · Psychology (6 works) · Nursing (5 works) · Child Nutrition and Water Access (4 works) · Demography (4 works) · Developmental psychology (4 works) · Gerontology (4 works)