Meg Bruening

Meg Bruening is an Associate Professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on public health nutrition promotion and obesity prevention strategies targeting underserved youth and families. She investigates food insecurity, socio-environmental influences on eating behaviors, and evaluates school/community-based interventions. Bruening holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Minnesota (2012) and an MPH in Nutrition (2008). She is also a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) since 2003.

Her research interests include food insecurity resiliency factors, social networks' role in healthy eating, and translational nutrition interventions. Notable grants include NIH-funded studies on salad bar efficacy and friendship networks' impact on BMI. Courses taught include thesis/dissertation guidance and evidence-based research methods.

Her recent publications explore salad bar implementation in schools, food insecurity among college students, and mobile health tools for behavioral tracking. Bruening leads federally-funded projects like the TRANSCEND program and Partners in Excellence for MCH Nutrition, emphasizing multi-sector collaboration for health equity.