The NOURISH Project with Duke University Health

Held and Duke University Join Forces to Combat Childhood Obesity and Food Insecurity

Held is thrilled to announce a partnership with Duke University's Nourish Study, a pivotal research initiative addressing the critical issues of childhood obesity and food insecurity in our communities.

A Focus on Early Intervention

At the core of this collaboration is a shared commitment to tackling two of the most pressing public health concerns of our time: childhood obesity and food insecurity. The Nourish Study aims to unravel the complex relationship between these issues, often referred to as the 'Food Insecurity-Obesity Paradox'. With 12 million children living in food-insecure households and 14.6 million children facing obesity in the United States, the urgency of this research cannot be overstated.

The repercussions of these intertwined issues extend far beyond childhood, strongly predicting obesity and cardiovascular disease risk into adolescence and adulthood. By focusing on early intervention, the Nourish Study seeks to break this cycle and pave the way for healthier futures.

Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

The partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations to offer a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing these critical issues. Through the Nourish Study, researchers will compare the effectiveness of different food insecurity interventions on nutrition and body mass index (BMI) in infants aged 12 months who have developed obesity and are at high risk for food insecurity.

Held will serve as an implementation partner and be responsible for distributing a weekly cash allowance of $50 to participating families. This approach will help researchers understand how unrestricted financial support impacts food choices and, ultimately, child health outcomes.

Empowering Families, Informing Policy

By participating in this study, Held is not just contributing to academic research – we're actively empowering families in our community. The $50 weekly allowance provides immediate relief to families struggling with food insecurity, while simultaneously gathering crucial data that could shape future policies and interventions.

By addressing the root causes of childhood obesity and food insecurity, we're investing in the long-term health and wellbeing of our youngest community members and their families.