معرفی
Marlene Schwartz is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Hartford Campus. Her research focuses on improving nutritional environments in schools and charitable food systems to address childhood obesity and food insecurity. She leads initiatives such as the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) project with Foodshare to enhance healthy food selection in Hartford-area food pantries. Her work includes evaluating school wellness policies and their impact on student BMI trajectories, documented in a 2018 American Journal of Preventive Medicine study. Dr. Schwartz collaborates with national organizations to promote evidence-based nutrition policies and interventions.
Her research integrates social-ecological frameworks to address systemic health disparities, particularly in urban settings. Key projects include analyzing food swamp vs. food desert dynamics, studying the effects of flavored milk removal in schools, and assessing the role of defaults and nudges in improving dietary choices. She also investigates child care environments to enhance physical activity and healthy eating practices among preschoolers.
Dr. Schwartz has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Public Health Nutrition, and Academic Pediatrics. Her work emphasizes actionable policy recommendations, including taxation of sugary beverages and strengthening the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. She holds a leadership role in the Research on Resilient Cities, Racism, and Equity initiative at UConn Hartford, focusing on urban health equity.
