Description: This publication describes a data-driven framework developed by the Children’s Healthy Living project to identify “Signal Nutrients” and “Signature Foods” that could guide nutrition interventions for children ages 2–8 in five U.S.-Affiliated Pacific jurisdictions. The study identified 6 signal nutrients and 26 signature foods. Some foods were linked with more favorable health patterns, while others, including commercial snacks, white rice, processed meats, eggs, and mayonnaise, were associated with less favorable outcomes. The authors conclude that this framework can help communities and policymakers prioritize culturally relevant, feasible food-system interventions by focusing on foods that are both commonly eaten and meaningfully related to child health.

Citation: Wilkens, L. R., Dela Cruz, R., Yamanaka, A. B., Hammond, K., Shvetsov, Y. B., Aflague, T., Butel, J., Coleman, P., Fleming, T., Shallcross, L., Fialkowski, M. K., Young, C., Ing, C., Franck, K., Esquivel, M., & Novotny, R. (2026). Framework for Identifying Signature Foods for Health in the Children’s Healthy Living Program in the United States Affiliated Pacific Region. The Journal of nutrition, 156(5), 101466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101466

Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/