The UConn Rudd Center is one of the top-performing nonprofit organizations in childhood nutrition and health,  with a reputation as a leader in connecting science with policy to foster a healthier food environment.  

At the Rudd Center, we believe that every child, regardless of who they are, where they live, and what they look like, deserves the opportunity to eat healthfully. But this is not the reality today. We are committed to interrupting this cycle of health inequity through: 

      • Cutting-edge scholarship.
      • Two-way dialogue with policy makers and child health advocates.
      • Effective communication of research findings through multi-media channels.
      • Resources for parents, schools and communities, and healthcare professionals.

The Rudd Center was founded in 2005 by Kelly Brownell, PhD, at Yale, with a contribution from the Rudd Foundation. Key initiatives were launched as part of the Rudd Center’s work, based on a core philosophy of creating the greatest impact by working through important institutions that affect food policy and public health, such as schools and communities, government agencies, scientific and medical communities, and the media. This approach has distinguished the Rudd Center as a multi-disciplinary policy research center dedicated to providing high-level expertise and guidance on obesity prevention, food marketing to children, food assistance programs, food and nutrition-related policies, and policies to reduce weight bias against individuals with obesity. 

Health & Wellness

Non Profit

UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Marlene Schwartz

Teams at UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Research Team