ACNC Research Programs

The Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) is committed to translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice and community health. With deep expertise in maternal and child nutrition, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strong record of federal investment, ACNC is positioned for impactful collaborations with government, agriculture (growers and processors), industry and private partners. Together, we can accelerate innovation in precision nutrition, improve public health, and ensure healthier futures for children everywhere.

Core Programs

• Clinical and Cohort Studies: Randomized-controlled trials and longitudinal studies focused on diet in pregnancy, infancy and childhood, targeting chronic disease prevention.
• Mechanistic Research: Physiological and biochemical investigations that translate into actionable hypotheses.
• Data and Informatics: Advanced databases and analytic tools that leverage decades of research to uncover drivers of chronic disease.
• Community Translation: Implementation of science and community-based research ensuring discoveries reach families and practitioners.

Core Research Areas

The ACNC research program is focused on understanding how parents’ health, diet and lifestyle before, during and after pregnancy, affect the long-term health of their children.

1. Improving maternal and child health through diet quality and breastfeeding support

Pregnancy and infancy are critical periods of development during which healthy diet can support both maternal and child’s health. The goal of this research is to provide evidence-based guidance that benefits both mothers and their children. Guidance which is in line with the recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Mediterranean Diet Plan. Both of these recommendations focus on eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, dairy and healthy fats.

2. Lifestyle strategies for lifelong health: The roles of diet, exercise, fitness, and sleep in childhood heart and metabolic risk

Daily habits like healthy eating (including fruits and vegetables of all colors, whole grains, high-quality proteins like dairy and lean meats and healthy fats like those in nuts), being physically active and avoiding sedentary behaviors and getting enough sleep, all play important roles in children’s health. However, many children do not meet the recommended guidelines. Researchers are working to better understand these factors and provide guidance to help children build healthier habits and lower their risk of disease over time.

3. Breaking the cycle of diseases: Early-life effects of parental nutrition and environment

This research uses models to study how parents’ diet and lifestyle affect children’s metabolism, bone and muscle growth, and gut health. It focuses on how nutrient-rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables, can support healthy development and help balance the effects of less healthy diets early in life. Examples of the healthy foods used include apples, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, grapes, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes. The goal is to understand how healthy eating protects against disease and to improve nutrition for children from the start.

See current ACNC studies >