Meghan M. Slining

Meghan M. Slining is an Associate Professor of Health Sciences at Furman University. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Public Health. Her expertise spans nutritional epidemiology, public health policy, and weight stigma reduction. Slining holds a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology from UNC, an MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and an MS in Food Policy from Tufts University, alongside a BA in Multicultural Health Advocacy.

Her research focuses on promoting weight-inclusive wellbeing, particularly in pediatric populations, and addressing weight bias in healthcare education. Notable work includes analyzing global obesity trends in low/middle-income countries and evaluating state policies affecting child care nutrition/physical activity. Over 40 peer-reviewed publications highlight her contributions to dietary surveillance, food system monitoring, and policy interventions.

Early career experiences include Peace Corps service in Honduras, teaching in Germany, and community-based nutrition programs for underserved populations. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes empowering students to apply public health principles in global contexts. Current projects examine weight stigma mitigation strategies for future health professionals.

Key research themes include:

• Global nutrition transitions
• Child care policy analysis
• Corporate food industry initiatives
• Socioeconomic diet disparities
• Body positivity in health education