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Heather A. Eicher-Miller

Associate Professor of Nutrition Science, Purdue University
Chapter Member: Indiana SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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About Heather

Eicher-Miller's research focuses on improving the diet, health, and food security of low-resource U.S. populations. Her research has documented immediate and chronic adverse dietary and health outcomes associated with U.S. food insecurity among diverse populations. Her work to evaluate and create evidence-based interventions, programs, and policies has reduced food insecurity and improved access to resources which enhance health. She has also developed novel analytical and methodological techniques, including temporal dietary patterning, to more effectively evaluate the relationship between diet and health. Eicher-Miller is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, and the Institute of Food Technologists.

In the News

Heather A. Eicher-Miller quoted by Amy Patterson Neubert, "Nutrition Program Improves Food Stamp Family's Food Security" Purdue University News, December 12, 2016.
Heather A. Eicher-Miller's research on how a group of low-income Hoosiers dramatically increased their access to health food discussed by Matt Smith, "Purdue Study Reveals How Low-Income Hoosiers Increased Their Access to Healthy Food," WTTV, December 12, 2016.

Publications

"Exploring the Association of Urban or Rural County Status and Environmental, Nutrition- and Lifestyle-Related Resources with the Efficacy of SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education) to Improve Food Security" (with Rebecca Rivera, Jennifer Dunne, Melissa K. Maulding, Qi Wang, Dennis A. Savaiano, and SharonM. Nickols-Richardson). Public Health Nutrition 21, no. 5 (2017): 957-966.

Determines that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) was effective to improve food security in both urban and rural settings and a variety of environmental conditions.

"The Effect of Food Stamp Nutrition Education on the Food Insecurity of Low-Income Women Participants" (with April C. Mason, Angela R. Abbott, George P. McCabe, and Carol J. Boushey). Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 41, no. 3 (2009): 161-168.

Determines an improvement in food security among clients compared to those who did not, based upon short-term and preliminary evaluation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed).

"Poor Dietary Guidelines Compliance among Low-Income Women Eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)" (with Shinyoung Jun, Sowmyanarayanan V. Thuppal, Melissa K. Maulding, Dennis A. Savaiano, and Regan L. Bailey). Nutrients 10, no. 3 (2018).

Discusses how low-income women who were eligible for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program-Education had poor compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and specifically are at risk for not meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

"SNAP-ED (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education) Increases Long-Term Food Security among Indiana Households with Children in a Randomized Controlled Study" (with Rebecca L. Rivera, Melissa K. Maulding, Angela R. Abbott, and Bruce A. Craig). The Journal of Nutrition 146, no. 11 (2016): 2375-2382.

Evaluates the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) to determine an improvement in food security among clients who received SNAP-Ed compared to those who did not, establishing an evidence base for SNAP-Ed.