Friedman Loves Fitness!

FitnessIssue — Photo: Courtesy of Bojan Mandaric, November Project

This month, we’re talking about fitness, in all forms and fashions.

Katherine Pett sits down with new Friedman School Dean Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian and discusses how he is fit to lead the school into the future. Friedman alumna and recent Runner’s World cover model Micah Risk (FPAN ‘13) talks with Matt Moore about her nutrition education and athletic pursuits, including her role in the grassroots fitness movement, the November Project.

Cailin Kowalewski looks into Professor Jen Sacheck’s grant for standing desks for the school, and Lara Goodrich Ezor examines the implications of the American Beverage Association’s new initiative to reduce Americans’ per capita consumption of calories from beverages by 20% by the year 2025.

In “Justice on the Move,” Emily Piltch talks with FPAN PhD candidates Alison Brown and Dan Hatfield about their work in promoting physical activity in underserved communities. Katherine Pett lets us in on the ups and downs of ClassPass, a membership service that allows you to sample lots of different fitness classes at various gyms and studios. Mimi DelGizzi captures the Student Council and Slow Food’s Pumpkin Party on camera, and Tanuja Kulkarni cooks up a delectable recipe featuring farro, butternut squash and Brussels sprouts that is sure to keep you fueled. Interested in the goings-ons around Boston related to food and fitness? Our Calendar of Events section is back up and running, thanks to Brittany Peats.

So, cozy up with this month’s Sprout, and then, get up and go!

Sheryl and Lara

In this issue:

Fit to Lead: An Interview with Friedman’s New Dean, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian

by Katherine Pett

This year, we’re excited to welcome our new dean Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian. Previously an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, he comes to Friedman with an expertise in epidemiology and a mission to promote better fusion between the worlds of nutrition science and policy. His vision overlaps perfectly with the focus of the Friedman School. Read on to learn about the dean’s take on his new position and his advice for students.

Friedman Alumna, Micah Risk, Appears on Runner’s World Cover and Balances Nutrition, Fitness, Work, and Family

by Matt Moore

Micah Risk (FPAN ‘13) graces the cover of the October 2014 issue of Runner’s World. In addition to being a runner, Risk is a nutritionist, an active member of November Project, and a proud vegan. She recently discussed each of these aspects of her life with The Sprout.

Friedman Gets Fit With New Classroom Tools

by Cailin Kowalewski

Classrooms and offices in Jaharis will be outfitted with new activity-promoting gadgets in 2015.

Beverage Industry Joins Fight for Obesity Prevention, Launches “Mixify” Campaign

by Lara Goodrich Ezor

The American Beverage Association has announced its new “Balance Calories Initiative,” which aims to reduce calorie consumption from beverages by 20% by 2025. Through the initiative, beverage companies will join together to reduce portion sizes, increase access to low-calorie drinks and calorie information, and launch the “Mixify” campaign, which encourages consumer choice in formulating a healthy balance between food, drink and physical activity.

Justice on the Move

by Emily Piltch

Need inspiration to integrate your Friedman experience into the greater Boston community? See how Dan Hatfield and Alison Brown, both Food Policy and Applied Nutrition (FPAN) doctoral students, are humbly contributing their expertise to fitness programs in underserved neighborhoods.