Researchers Actively Communicate with Decision-makers

University of Minnesota family medicine faculty Susie Nanney, PhD, MS, and her research team are taking an active role in communicating research findings of the School Obesity-related Policy Evaluation (ScOPE) study to decision- or policy-makers, i.e., state agencies, advocacy groups, and lawmakers.

ScOPE is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The study primarily looks at school obesity-related policies to examine the impact on students.

Susie Nanney, PhD, MS, seated front, and team presenting
preliminary findings to decision-makers.

Most often research is published in academic journals and read by few non-academics. Yet, Nanney’s group has taken the unique approach of inviting decision-makers to hear and respond to the study’s preliminary work versus waiting to learn findings several years down the road. The results are communicated in an easy to understand way, specifically targeted to a lay audience of non-researchers.

Initial findings suggest:

1. It is important to monitor school weight-related policies and practices—for changes over time and with a health disparities lens.

2. The quality of school district wellness policies vary by region in the state of Minnesota.

3. Minnesota school and food activity policies are having a positive effect on student fruit, vegetable, and pop intake as well as physical behaviors and weight, especially among students in schools in low-income communities.

Nanney is the principal investigator of the ScOPE study. She is active in research and community initiatives promoting school wellness. Nanney earned her PhD in public health research and holds an MS in community nutrition. She is also a registered dietician.

Learn more about ScOPE at www.healthdisparities.umn.edu/research/scope.