Nutritional Sciences | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Older man buys carrots at a farmers market.

New research looks at relationship between food insecurity, SNAP and cognitive decline

A nutritional sciences professor led research that found food insecurity may increase cognitive decline in older adults.

Research looks at impact of fast-food ad campaigns on Twitch viewers

Nutritional sciences undergrad student helped lead research that found this type of advertising may influence viewers and, ultimately, their diets.

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Nutritional Sciences at Penn State examines how humans gain energy from food and how nutrition choices affect our health over time.

Solidly rooted in chemistry, biology, physiology, psychology, neuroscience, behavior, and development, our body of work covers the effects of nutrition at all levels, from the molecule to the organism, to the population at large. Our programs aim to nurture a new generation of leaders in bench and behavioral sciences who will push the limits of our understanding of nutrition as it relates to human health.

Faculty and students in a test kitchen at Penn State

Start your undergraduate journey

Explore this undergraduate degree for students interested in how the human body transforms food into usable energy that fuels our daily lives.

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Student organizing plant starts at the Penn State student farm.

Learn about graduate training

Discover how research and graduate training provides students with the knowledge needed to contribute to the field of nutritional sciences.

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Explore research areas

Understand the variety of research areas and current projects that push the boundaries of knowledge in the field.

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The Diet Assessment Center

Explore how the department collects and analyzes dietary data to help researchers understand what, how, and when people are eating.

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Student Spotlight

Anna Santoro named NUTR Student Marshal

Anna Santoro will serve as the Nutritional Sciences Student Marshal for spring 2023 commencement. She was a member of the Student Nutrition Association and small group coordinator for Penn State CHAARG.