The MS Nanney award is a prize for a specific research project that exemplifies ISBNPA values of behavioural nutrition and/or physical activity to better human health that has an impact beyond scientific study (e.g. dissemination, public engagement).

The process

The ISBNPA community is asked to nominate potential awardees.

The Awards Committee evaluates the proposals and makes a recommendation for the Executive Committee.

A decision is made under consensus of both committees.

The winner

1. The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is a USDA-funded initiative that supports projects aimed at improving access to fruits and vegetables for low-income individuals and families. GusNIP was established in 2018 through the US Farm Bill. Administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), GusNIP provides grants to support nutrition incentive (NI) and produce prescription (PPR) projects nationwide. NI initiatives help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants stretch their food dollars by offering matching incentives when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. PPR initiatives allow healthcare providers to “prescribe” fruits and vegetables to patients as part of a broader effort to manage or prevent diet-related chronic diseases. GusNIP not only supports healthier food choices and improved food and nutrition security, but also strengthens local food systems by connecting communities with farmers and food retailers. The program is named in honor of Gus Schumacher, a champion of food access. Crucially, the GusNIP National Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center (NTAE), led by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact, has established a shared evaluation framework for this national food policy initiative.
2. Led by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact in partnership with Fair Food Network, University of California San Francisco and a coalition of partners including the National Grocers Association Foundation, Michigan Farmers Market Association and Food Trust, the Nutrition Incentive Hub has expertise in a multitude of areas, with presence across the nation. These partners are developing systems, infrastructure, and collaborative networks and relationships to support GusNIP grantees, while building capacity and sustainability. These efforts will help maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of nutrition incentive and produce prescription projects in meeting priorities by: increasing fruit and vegetable purchase and consumption among program participants, reducing individual and household food insecurity, improving the nutrition and health status of participating households, reducing health care use and associated costs.
3. We’re fortunate to have an outstanding and large team of CNHI staff and collaborating partners! Among ISBNPA members, Amy Yaroch serves as the Project Director, Carmen Byker Shanks is the Co-Project Director, and Bailey Houghtaling contributes as a Research Scientist.
4. Since its launch, GusNIP has played a pivotal role in advancing nutrition security and access to healthy foods across the United States. By supporting NI and PPR initiatives, the program has enabled thousands of SNAP and low-income participants to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Participating households report healthier food choices, improved health outcomes, and stronger connections to local food systems. GusNIP has also delivered meaningful economic benefits, increasing revenue for local farmers and food retailers. By fostering collaboration among community organizations, healthcare providers, and food system stakeholders, the NTAE has helped amplify GusNIP’s impact and laid the foundation for evidence-based policy and practice aimed at improving public health and advancing food access.

The award was given at ISBNPA2025, Amy Yaroch (second from the left) received the award on behalf of the GusNIP team.

We are delighted to announce that Professor David Crawford AM, Deakin Distinguished Professor Emeritus, has been awarded the highest honor of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA): the Tom Baranowski Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the fields of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. Recipients are selected through a rigorous process, beginning with nominations from the ISBNPA community. The Awards Committee carefully reviews all nominations, and the final selection is ratified by the Executive Committee.

About Professor David Crawford

Professor Crawford is a founding member of ISBNPA, served as ISBNPA President, and has held the position of Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA). He has been recognized as an ISBNPA Fellow for his exceptional service and leadership within the society.

Beyond his contributions to ISBNPA, Professor Crawford co-founded the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), has published over 300 scientific papers, and has mentored dozens of colleagues who are now leaders in behavioral nutrition and physical activity research worldwide. His legacy is reflected not only in his groundbreaking research but also in the thriving global community he has helped to build.

We congratulate Professor Crawford on this well-deserved recognition of his lifetime of achievement and dedication to advancing our field.

Who better to introduce Professor David Crawford than himself?

Title:

An introduction to systems approaches in public health – where are we up to and how are they being used?

When:

March 24, 2025, 1430 UTC

Video recording:

Who:

Speakers:

Leandro Garcia, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast

Fiona Bull, Head of Physical Activity at World Health Organisation

Hayley Lever, Chief Executive Officer (Greater Manchester Moving) and GM Moving Exec Lead

Moderators:

Sophie Jones, Research Fellow, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast

Maud ter Bogt, Researcher at Radboudumc department of primary care, and the public health service Gelderland-Zuid

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in the use of systems approaches within the public health sector, particularly to promoting physical activity and nutrition interventions. In light of this growing interest, this webinar will offer a short introduction to systems approaches in public health, complemented by an overview of their current applications and contexts. Following this introductory presentation by Dr. Leandro Garcia, the webinar will feature a panel discussion with Prof. Fiona Bull (Head of Unit WHO) and Hayley Lever (Chief Executive Officer, Greater Manchester Moving) to discuss the practical application, and future potential, for systems approaches in policy and practice. The webinar will aim to encourage critical reflection on the current applications of systems approaches, with the goal of enhancing research, practice, and policy in the future.

Title:

Research in Africa: A ISBNPA-NCDAK Webinar

When:

November 15, 2024, 0700 UTC

Video:

Who:

Speakers:

Dr. Catherine Karekezi, Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya

Professor Vincent O. Onywera, KCA University

Moderators:

Professor Ester Cerin, Australian Catholic University

Professsor Adewale Oyeyemi, Arizona State University

Abstract

This webinar will spotlight research on behavioral nutrition and physical activity across Africa. Additionally, we will explore how ISBNPA can further support the advancement of this field on the continent through our Pioneer Program and Inclusive Culture Strategic Initiative.

SIG Young Adult

Title

Young Adult SIG Research Showcase

When

October 23, 2024, 22:00 UTC

Registration

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sGv8V8Z4RbqSnAtKX9TS1w

Who

Speakers:

Professor Jessica LaRose, Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor Zi Yan, Merrimack College

Rebecca Raeside, University of Sydney,

Moderators:

A/Professor Melinda Hutchesson, University of Newcastle

Assistant Professor Kristal Brown, Drexel University

Abstract

The ISBNPA Young Adult SIG Research Showcase will include presentations from the three winners of the SIGs awards in 2024. The webinar will therefore showcase the innovative and high-quality research happening internationally relating to young adult’s behavioural nutrition, physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Mentoring

Title:

Build Your Personal Mentorship Guide: An Interactive Event

When

October 3, 2024, 10:00 UTC

Registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VSR_97D-TrKrVhu6TzGN_A

Who:

Speakers:

Dr Simone Verswijveren, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University

Dr Alissa Burnett, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University

Abstract

The ISBNPA mentoring team’s event “Build Your Personal Mentorship Guide: An Interactive Event” is a unique opportunity to create a personalized mentoring guide tailored to your career aspirations and goals. Using a pre-designed template, you will delve into key topics including career pathways and progression, building professional networks, personal branding and self-promotion, overcoming obstacles and resilience, skill development, and work-life balance and well-being. Through dynamic discussions in small breakout rooms, you’ll explore these topics and complete your guide with thoughts and ideas raised in small group settings by you and others. The thoughts and ideas you fill in on your template can then serve as a guide for your future mentor meetings to make the most of them. Reserve your spot today!

SIG e- and mHealth

Title:

App Co-Design: Equity Considerations for Digital Health

When:

October 2, 2024, 1300 UTC

Recording:

Who:

Speakers:

Dr. Robert Newton, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Dr. Mavra Ahmed, University of Toronto

Moderators:

Dr. Amanda Staiano, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Abstract

Co-design engages end users from the start to develop health promotion apps that are acceptable, feasible, and effective. This approach is especially important for health equity to best support individuals from under-represented or minoritized backgrounds. This webinar will use a health equity lens to highlight two lines of research that have successfully used co-design for physical activity and nutrition promotion. Dr. Robert Newton, Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, will present a series of studies that used co-design to develop an app-based physical activity promotion program for African American men in the USA. Dr. Ahmed, Fellow at the University of Toronto, will present on equity considerations in nutrition app development and co-design for digital technology to monitor food environments in Canada. There will be time for audience questions and engagement to share best practices and successful strategies for co-design in app-based health interventions.

SIG Socio-Economic Inequalities

Title

Living Laboratories and Community Participation: Key to Sustainable Health Initiatives

When

To be announced, it should be in late September

Registration

Who

Speakers:

Lua Perimal-Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Digital Health, Flinders Digital Health Research Centre, College of Science and Engineering

Evanthia Sakellari, Associate Professor, Department of Public and Community Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

Moderators:

Sónia V. Correia, Universidade Lusófona

Abstract

Dr. Lua Perimal-Lewis will share the FAME project, which uses a ‘living laboratory’ approach to develop digital health solution for community dwelling older adults with memory loss. By involving stakeholders and users throughout the process, FAME ensures the app meets real needs. FAME helps with appointment management, phone and video calling, and other daily activities. It integrates existing digital services, brain training and physical activity functionalities within the platform. In a 12-week pilot with 120 participants conducted in 2 phases, most used the app for over an hour daily, reporting improved clarity in daily tasks. This success highlights the potential of user-centered digital health to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The presentation by Evanthia Sakellari highlights the importance of community participation in health promotion, emphasizing a “bottom-up” approach where individuals are active participants rather than passive recipients. This method fosters empowerment, enhancing community control over health decisions and improving social capital and health outcomes. It will be shared projects in order to demonstrate concrete examples to the audience for implications in practice. The projects highlight the importance of community involvement in health promotion, emphasizing the benefits of active participation in creating effective and meaningful health promotion interventions.

SIG Policies and Environment

Title:

Overview of ISBNPA 2024 Pre-Conference Workshops

When

April 30, 2024, 20:00 UTC

Registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bmYAbwXtTkOq_kMR0GEHPg

Who:

Speakers:

Mary Hearst

Rachel Sutherland

Stephen Barrett

Maïté Verloigne

Maja Pedersen

Moderators:

Jack Benton, The University of Manchester,

Nicole den Braver, Amsterdam UMC,

Abstract

This 60-minute webinar, organised by ISBNPA Policies and Environment SIG, will showcase the pre-conference workshops at ISBNPA 2024 in Omaha, US. Each of the pre-conference workshop leads will give a brief overview of what to expect and the types of activities planned in their workshop. If you are still undecided on which workshop to attend, or want to scope who you can connect with on these topics during the conference, this webinar is ideal for you! The Policies and Environment SIG will also provide details of social and networking activities in Omaha before and during the conference.

ECE SIG Webinar

Title:

Reducing food waste where children live, learn and play: Future directions for policy and practice in high and middle-income countries

When:

May 14, 2024, 1100 UTC

Video:

Who:

Speakers:

Prof Jess Haines, Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Mrs Audrey Elford, Institute for Physical Nutrition and Nutrition, Deakin University, Australia,

Dr. Yolande Smit, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa,

Moderators:

Dr Penelope Love, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Australia,

Abstract

Purpose:

To describe observational and intervention research from high- and middle-income countries that is aimed at reducing food waste in settings where children live, learn, and play.

Rationale:

Food waste is a major driver of climate change and biodiversity loss. In developed countries, most food waste occurs in home and food service settings. Given the labor and resource costs accrued across the supply chain, food discarded in these consumer environments is the most costly to the environment and economies. Since childhood is a critical period in the life course, it is important to equip the next generation in developing food conservation habits in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objectives:

1. Describe the environmental, economic, and nutritional impact of global food waste.
2. Summarize current evidence on approaches to reduce food waste and increase food waste awareness.
3. Identify strategies, key considerations, and tools to reduce food waste in high and middle income countries
4. Discuss policy and practice implications of research findings and future research directions.