Julia A Wolfson
Biographic Data
| ID | 319250 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Julia A Wolfson |
| GIVEN NAMES | Julia A |
| FAMILY NAME | Wolfson |
| SIGNATURE | WOLFSON J A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Johns Hopkins University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9155-2609 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 55 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 96 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 55 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
From Past to Present: Examining the Associations Between Historical Racialized Housing Interventions and Current-Day Neighborhood-level Outcomes: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Ultra-processed food intake and impairment across multiple cognitive domains in nationally representative older U.S. adults
Introduction: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, which accounts for more than 50% of energy intake in the U.S., has steadily increased among older adults over the past decade. UPF consumption is associated with overall cognitive decline, but few studies have examined the associations between UPF consumption and individual cognitive domains. In this study, we examined associations between UPF consumption and impairment in executive function, …
Associations between food insecurity and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation with ultra-processed food acquisitions for home consumption in US households
Objective: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are shown to promote disease. Research shows high UPF intake with food insecurity and SNAP participation. However, no research has quantitatively examined UPF acquisitions (which includes purchases) by food insecurity and SNAP status in US households. This analysis examines food insecurity and SNAP participation with UPF acquisitions for home consumption. Design: Food insecurity was assessed through the ten…
Perceptions of Ultra-Processed Foods, Food Processing, and Food Healthfulness among a Cross-sectional National Sample of US Adults: Do Perceptions Align with the Evidence
Objective: There is growing public health interest in ultra-processed foods (UPF), but limited research exploring consumers’ perceptions of these foods in the United States. We aimed to characterize consumers’ beliefs about UPFs, the association between perceived food processing and perceived food healthfulness, and alignment between consumers’ perceptions and objective measures of food processing and healthfulness. Design: In a cross-sectional s…
Household cooking and eating practices across food system typologies in 135 countries from 2018 to 2022
Cooking meals at home is often recommended as a strategy to consume a healthy diet and avoid ultra-processed foods and unhealthy dietary patterns. However, cooking has traditionally been a highly gendered activity, and as food environments, economies, and social norms evolve globally, understanding of cooking behaviors in different contexts is needed. We analyzed repeated cross-sectional data from 135 countries from the 2018–22 Gallup World Poll …
Design of the Focus on Restaurant Engagement to Strengthen Health (FRESH) study: Leveraging systems science to work with independently-owned restaurants to increase access to and promotion of healthfu…
Background: High dietary quality can protect against diet-related chronic diseases. In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities and those with lower incomes consistently exhibit lower dietary quality. Independently-owned restaurants are a common prepared food source in minority low-income communities, but there are significant knowledge gaps on how to work with these restaurants to offer healthy food, due to underlying and dynamic complexi…
A Food Agency-Based Cooking Intervention for Pregnant Individuals with Diabetes
Purpose: Diet is crucial for improving outcomes among pregnant people with diabetes. We present lessons learned from developing and piloting a program, Diabetes Prevention Program Cooks in Pregnancy (DPP Cooks in Pregnancy), tailored to address unique barriers to healthy eating among this population. Methods: Participants ( n = 23) attended at least one cooking class and completed a post-survey. We used descriptive statistics to summarize finding…
New and Recurring Food Insecurity During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic
This survey study examines the prevalence of new and recurring household food insecurity among US households during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
A Path Forward for Strengthening SNAP Nutrition Policy—Making the US Healthy Again
This Viewpoint discusses the possibilities of a nutrition-focused Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pilot program and proposes next steps to strengthen SNAP’s nutrition policy
Climate change menu labels in a university cafeteria: Effects on student's diets, perceptions, and attitudes
Climate change is an urgent public health threat that requires robust and multi-sector action, including strategies to shift food choices toward more sustainable options. Climate change menu labels in university settings have the potential to shift food choices over the short- and long-term. In this pre-post-intervention study, we implemented traffic-light style climate impact menu labels communicating the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) of foods…
What have I just eaten?’ A qualitative exploration of awareness and use of ultra-processed food products during pregnancy and the post-partum period in line with the COM-B behaviour model
Consumption of convenience/ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been associated with a lower diet quality. However, it is unclear whether consumers are aware of what is classified as UPFs. Additionally, higher maternal diet quality is associated lower risk of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. Therefore, the aim was to explore awareness, perception, and usage of UPFs during pregnancy. Online focus group discussions with pregnant women and those w…
The lived experience of Co-occurring food insecurity and food addiction: A qualitative study
Trends in Recurring and Chronic Food Insecurity Among US Families With Older Adults
These results highlight how rates of recurring and chronic food insecurity among families with older adults rose substantially over the past 20 years. Monitoring national trends in food insecurity among older adults has direct programmatic and policy implications
Participant Support for Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
This cross-sectional study reports participant attitudes regarding 11 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policies and stratified by self-reported political affiliation
Evaluating Food Procurement against the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet in a Sample of U.S. Universities
Aligning institutional food procurement with planetary health targets offers opportunities to improve nutrition and reduce food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study compared foods procured by 19 university dining programs in the U.S. in 2022 with the EAT- Lancet planetary health diet. Each university's procurement was then modeled to align with the EAT- Lancet planetary health diet, and changes to Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores a…
Associations between food insecurity and diabetes risk factors in US adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016
Objective: To evaluate the associations between household food insecurity and diabetes risk factors among lower-income US adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Household food security status was measured using the 18-item Food Security Survey Module. Simple and multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the association between food security status and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)…
Reduced red and processed meat consumption is associated with lower diet costs in US households: A national analysis of protein substitutions
Objective: To examine the association between red and processed meat consumption and total food expenditures in US households and explore whether households could reduce food costs by substituting these meats with other protein sources such as poultry, seafood, eggs and plant proteins. Design: Cross-sectional study using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Using adult male equivalents (AME) for standar…
Food Insecurity and Dementia Risk in U.S. Older Adults: Evidence From the 2013–2021 Panel Study of Income Dynamics
Food insecurity is a modifiable social determinant of health. Interventions and policies are needed to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy aging for older adults
A serious games methodology to test solutions for regional food systems inequities
How do we test solutions for greater social sustainability in food systems when those alternatives do not yet exist? How do we create solutions that account for the entire food system? This paper presents an innovative research method, the serious game, and its application for researching propositions that are systems-wide, integrating consumer equity and viable small farming in the Northeastern United States. It is presented as an example for ot…
The qualitative evaluation of food addiction across the lifespan
Food for thought: The intersection between SNAP stigma, food insecurity, and gender
Community Member Perceptions of Dollar Stores in Baltimore City, Maryland: They are Not Progressive for the Communities
Dollar stores are the fastest-growing type of food retailer in the United States, prompting policy action across the country related to their perceived negative impact on the communities they serve. However, there is little existing research that explores community member perceptions of dollar stores, which is critical to inform new, equitable policies. To address this gap in Baltimore City, Maryland, where dollar store density is high, we aimed …
The impact of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan benefit re-evaluation on SNAP participants’ short-term food security and health outcomes
Introduction The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and played a critical role in mitigating food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the updated Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which provides the basis of SNAP benefit allotments, led to a 21% monthly benefit increase for SNAP participants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the T…
Cooking behaviours after Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) participation among DPP participants in Baltimore, MD
Objective: The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a widely implemented 12-month behavioural weight loss programme for individuals with prediabetes. The DPP covers nutrition but does not explicitly incorporate cooking skills education. The objective of the current study is to describe food and cooking skills (FACS) and strategies of recent DPP participants. Design: Photo-elicitation in-depth interviews were conducted from June to August, 2021. S…
Tap water perceptions and water filter use vary with socio-demographic characteristics and are associated with water and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in university students
Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate university students’ perceptions of tap water safety and water filter use and determine how these perceptions and behaviours affect water and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Design: Cross-sectional; online survey conducted in Fall 2021. Setting: A large, public Midwestern university in the USA. Participants: Seven-hundred ninety-three university students. Results: Students who experienced food ins…
What does cooking mean to you: Perceptions of cooking and factors related to cooking behavior
Food Insecurity During Covid-19: An Acute Crisis With Long-Term Health Implications
Covid-19 stress and eating and drinking behaviors in the United States during the early stages of the pandemic
Perspectives on learning to cook and public support for cooking education policies in the United States: A mixed methods study
US Public Opinion on Carrying Firearms in Public Places
Objectives. To estimate US public opinion, overall and by gun ownership status, about the public places where legal gun owners should be allowed to carry firearms. Methods. We fielded an online survey among 3949 adults, including an oversample of gun owners and veterans, in April 2015. We used cross-tabulations with survey weights to generate nationally representative estimates. Results. Fewer than 1 in 3 US adults supported gun carrying in any o…
Gender differences in global estimates of cooking frequency prior to Covid-19
The frequency of cooking at home has not been assessed globally. Data from the Gallup World Poll in 2018/2019 wave (N = 145,417) were collected in 142 countries using telephone and face to face interviews. We describe differences in frequency of 'scratch' cooking lunch and dinner across the globe by gender. Poisson regression was used to assess predictors of cooking frequency. Associations between disparities in cooking frequency (at the country …
SNAP and WIC Participation During Childhood and Food Security in Adulthood, 1984–2019
Objectives. To examine the effects of childhood participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on adult food security in the United States. Methods. We used data from the 1984 to 2019 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to follow a balanced panel of 1406 individuals from birth through ages 20 to 36 years. We measured food insecurit…
Guidelines for designing age-appropriate cooking interventions for children: The development of evidence-based cooking skill recommendations for children, using a multidisciplinary approach
Health-promoting behaviors in the United States during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic
The qualitative evaluation of the Yale Food addiction scale 2.0
Food Insecurity and Delayed or Forgone Medical Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Objectives. To describe food insecurity in the United States in December 2020 and examine associations with underuse of medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We fielded a nationally representative Web-based survey in December 2020 (n = 8318). Multivariable logistic regression models and predicted probabilities were used to evaluate factors associated with food insecurity and compare the likelihood of delaying or forgoing medical car…
The lived experience of Co-occurring food insecurity and food addiction: A qualitative study
Food Insecurity and Dementia Risk in U.S. Older Adults: Evidence From the 2013–2021 Panel Study of Income Dynamics
Food insecurity is a modifiable social determinant of health. Interventions and policies are needed to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy aging for older adults
A serious games methodology to test solutions for regional food systems inequities
How do we test solutions for greater social sustainability in food systems when those alternatives do not yet exist? How do we create solutions that account for the entire food system? This paper presents an innovative research method, the serious game, and its application for researching propositions that are systems-wide, integrating consumer equity and viable small farming in the Northeastern United States. It is presented as an example for ot…
The qualitative evaluation of food addiction across the lifespan
Food for thought: The intersection between SNAP stigma, food insecurity, and gender
Exploring dietary patterns in a Mexican adolescent population: A mixed methods approach
The US Public’s Preference for Safer Guns
Differences in consumer use of food labels by weight loss strategies and demographic characteristics
Regardless of weight loss activities or demographic characteristics, a majority of adults report they would use fast food nutrition information
Is cooking at home associated with better diet quality or weight-loss intention
Objective To examine national patterns in cooking frequency and diet quality among adults in the USA, overall and by weight-loss intention. Design Analysis of cross-sectional 24 h dietary recall and interview data. Diet quality measures included total kilojoules per day, grams of fat, sugar and carbohydrates per day, fast-food meals per week, and frozen/pizza and ready-to-eat meals consumed in the past 30 d. Multivariable regression analysis was …
Public perceptions of cooking and the implications for cooking behaviour in the USA
Objective Despite the importance of cooking in modern life, public perceptions about what it means to cook are unknown. We aimed to examine perceptions of cooking and their association with cooking confidence, attitudes and behaviours in the USA. Design We designed and fielded a nationally representative survey among US adults ( n 1112) in April 2015. We used factor analysis to identify perceptions about cooking and multivariate ordered logit and…
What does cooking mean to you: Perceptions of cooking and factors related to cooking behavior
The US Public’s Preference for Safer Guns
Perspectives on learning to cook and public support for cooking education policies in the United States: A mixed methods study
US Public Opinion on Carrying Firearms in Public Places
Objectives. To estimate US public opinion, overall and by gun ownership status, about the public places where legal gun owners should be allowed to carry firearms. Methods. We fielded an online survey among 3949 adults, including an oversample of gun owners and veterans, in April 2015. We used cross-tabulations with survey weights to generate nationally representative estimates. Results. Fewer than 1 in 3 US adults supported gun carrying in any o…
Reducing meat consumption in the USA: A nationally representative survey of attitudes and behaviours
Objective Excess meat consumption, particularly of red and processed meats, is associated with nutritional and environmental health harms. While only a small portion of the population is vegetarian, surveys suggest many Americans may be reducing their meat consumption. To inform education campaigns, more information is needed about attitudes, perceptions, behaviours and foods eaten in meatless meals. Design A web-based survey administered in Apri…
Perspectives from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participants on Improving SNAP Policy
Purpose: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are important stakeholders in improving program policies, but their voices have not been included in the public discourse. Methods: We assessed the opinions of 202 SNAP participants and 368 food-insufficient nonparticipants on proposed SNAP policies. Results: The majority of SNAP participants and nonparticipants supported increasing federal SNAP spending, policies to broaden t…
Moderation of the Association Between Individual Food Security and Poor Mental Health by the Local Food Environment Among Adult Residents of Flint, Michigan
Purpose: Food insecurity is a psychosocial stressor with deleterious effects on mental health. This study examined whether the local food environment moderates the association of individual food insecurity with poor mental health. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from adult residents of Flint, Michigan (n=291), in 2015. Multivariate logistic models assessed whether quality of the local food environment moderated the relationshi…
Food Insecurity and Covid-19: Disparities in Early Effects for US Adults
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased food insecurity in the United States (US). The objective of this study was to understand the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among low-income adults in the US as social distancing measures began to be implemented. On 19–24 March 2020 we fielded a national, web-based survey (53% response rate) among adults with
Food as a Critical Social Determinant of Health Among Older Adults During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic
At the end of 2019, before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upended daily life, 1 in 7 adults (14%) aged 50 to 80 years experienced food insecurity (ie, difficulty acquiring healthy food
Understanding price incentives to upsize combination meals at large US fast-food restaurants
Objective: To understand price incentives to upsize combination meals at fast-food restaurants by comparing the calories (i.e. kilocalories; 1 kcal = 4·184 kJ) per dollar of default combination meals (as advertised on the menu) with a higher-calorie version (created using realistic consumer additions and portion-size changes). Design: Combination meals (lunch/dinner: n 258, breakfast: n 68, children’s: n 34) and their prices were identified from …
More frequent cooking at home is associated with higher Healthy Eating Index-2015 score
Objective: To examine the association between cooking frequency and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, overall and by income, among US adults. Design: Cross-sectional analysis using multivariable linear regression models to examine the association between cooking frequency and total HEI-2015 score adjusted for sociodemographic variables, overall and stratified by income. Setting: Nationally representative survey data from the USA. Participants: Adu…
Exploring dietary patterns in a Mexican adolescent population: A mixed methods approach
Food Insecurity During Covid-19: An Acute Crisis With Long-Term Health Implications
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Evidence from the Early Days of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the United States
Purpose: To understand associations between food insecurity and depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among low-income adults in the United States. Methods: During March 19–24, 2020, we fielded a national, web-based survey (53% response rate) among low-income adults (<250% of the federal poverty line) in the United States (N=1,476). Food security status was measured using the 18-question USDA Household Food Security Module.…
Mexican immigrant health advantage in metabolic syndrome? Examining the contributions of demographic, socioeconomic, and health behavior characteristics
Although Mexican immigrants to the United States (US) have historically held health and mortality advantages over US-born groups, evolving population dynamics in Mexico paired with shifts in Mexico-US immigration patterns and policy regimes have raised new concerns about the metabolic health of recent cohorts of Mexican immigrants. Using a nationally representative sample of adults aged 20-years and older (n = 10,833) from the National Health and…
The effect of food insecurity during college on graduation and type of degree attained: Evidence from a nationally representative longitudinal survey
Objective: To examine the effect of food insecurity during college on graduation and degree attainment. Design: Secondary analysis of longitudinal panel data. We measured food insecurity concurrent with college enrollment using the 18-question USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Educational attainment was measured in 2015-2017 via two questions about college completion and highest degree attained. Logistic and multinomial-logit models adj…
Development and implementation of a community health centre-based cooking skills intervention in Detroit, MI
Objective: To develop and implement a community-tailored, food agency-based cooking programme at a community health centre (CHC) and evaluate the effect of the intervention on cooking confidence and food waste. Design: This study used an exploratory, sequential mixed methods design. Focus groups ( n 38) were conducted to inform the development of a cooking intervention, then six cooking classes ( n 45) were planned and piloted in the health centr…
Attitudes and beliefs about how chefs can promote nutrition and sustainable food systems among students at a US culinary school
Objective: Chefs have the potential to influence diet quality and food systems sustainability through their work. We aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of culinary students about nutrition and sustainability as part of their roles, responsibilities and future work as chefs. Design: We surveyed students attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in the fall of 2019 ( n 546). Descriptive statistics compared food priority rankings …
Covid-19 stress and eating and drinking behaviors in the United States during the early stages of the pandemic
Guidelines for designing age-appropriate cooking interventions for children: The development of evidence-based cooking skill recommendations for children, using a multidisciplinary approach
Gender differences in global estimates of cooking frequency prior to Covid-19
The frequency of cooking at home has not been assessed globally. Data from the Gallup World Poll in 2018/2019 wave (N = 145,417) were collected in 142 countries using telephone and face to face interviews. We describe differences in frequency of 'scratch' cooking lunch and dinner across the globe by gender. Poisson regression was used to assess predictors of cooking frequency. Associations between disparities in cooking frequency (at the country …
Cooking at Home, Fast Food, Meat Consumption, and Dietary Carbon Footprint among US Adults
Shifting consumer behavior towards more sustainable diets can benefit environmental sustainability and human health. Although more frequent home cooking is associated with a better diet quality and fast-food consumption with worse diet quality, the environmental impact of diets based on frequency of cooking or eating fast food is not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the frequency of cooking dinner at home or…
Medicine (41 works) · Environmental health (33 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (28 works) · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations (24 works) · Psychology (24 works) · Gerontology (22 works) · Food security (19 works) · Food insecurity (18 works) · Geography (18 works) · Agriculture (14 works)