Kelly D. Brownell
Encyclopedia
Kelly D. Brownell is an American scientist, professor, and internationally renowned expert on obesity
. Brownell is Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
, where he is also Professor of Psychology
and Professor of Epidemiology
and Public Health
. His research deals primarily with obesity and the intersection of behavior, environment, and health with public policy. He was named in 2006 as one of "The World's 100 Most Influential People" by Time
magazine.
. His undergraduate work was at Purdue University
, followed by a PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers University
in 1977, advised by G. Terence Wilson, and additional training at Brown University
.
for 13 years before joining the Yale University
faculty in 1990. He served from 1995 to 1999 as Director of Clinical Training, from 1999 to 2003 as Director of Graduate Studies, and from 2003 to 2006 as Chair of Yale's Department of Psychology. In 1994 he became Master of Silliman College
at Yale where he served until 2000. He was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in 2006 and served as President of several national organizations, including the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and the Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association
.
He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the James McKeen Cattell
Award from the New York Academy of Sciences
, the award for Outstanding Contribution to Health Psychology
from the American Psychological Association
, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University
, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rutgers University
. He has published 14 books and more than 300 scientific articles and chapters. One book received the Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Book from the American Library Association
, and his paper on "Understanding and Preventing Relapse" published in the American Psychologist
was listed as one of the most frequently cited papers in psychology.
Brownell has advised members of congress, governors, world health and nutrition organizations, celebrities, and media leaders on issues of nutrition, obesity, and public policy. He was cited as a "moral entrepreneur" with special influence on public discourse in the history of the obesity field, and was cited by Time
magazine as a leading "warrior" in the area of nutrition and public policy. As Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
, he oversees all aspects of strategy and programming for the center.
Brownell teaches a class entitled "The Psychology, Biology, and Politics of Food" for Yale undergraduates. The class draws over 200 students each year. He featured in the Academy Award–nominated film Super Size Me
He is credited with coining the terms "toxic food environment
" and "yo-yo dieting
", is a proponent of a soda tax
, and was the first to propose a food tax to improve the nation's food environment.
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
. Brownell is Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity is a non-profit research and public policy organization devoted to improving the world’s diet, preventing obesity, and reducing weight stigma. Located in New Haven, Connecticut at Yale University, the Rudd Center was co-founded in March 2005 by benefactor...
, where he is also Professor of Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and Professor of Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
and Public Health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
. His research deals primarily with obesity and the intersection of behavior, environment, and health with public policy. He was named in 2006 as one of "The World's 100 Most Influential People" by Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine.
Personal background
Brownell was born in 1951 and was raised in IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. His undergraduate work was at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, followed by a PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
in 1977, advised by G. Terence Wilson, and additional training at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
.
Career
He served on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania School of MedicineUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
The Perelman School of Medicine , formerly the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, was founded in 1765, making it the oldest American medical school. As part of the University of Pennsylvania, it is located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is widely...
for 13 years before joining the Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
faculty in 1990. He served from 1995 to 1999 as Director of Clinical Training, from 1999 to 2003 as Director of Graduate Studies, and from 2003 to 2006 as Chair of Yale's Department of Psychology. In 1994 he became Master of Silliman College
Silliman College
Silliman College is a residential college at Yale University. It opened in September 1940 as the last of the original ten residential colleges, and includes buildings that were constructed as early as 1901...
at Yale where he served until 2000. He was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in 2006 and served as President of several national organizations, including the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and the Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
.
He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the James McKeen Cattell
James McKeen Cattell
James McKeen Cattell , American psychologist, was the first professor of psychology in the United States at the University of Pennsylvania and long-time editor and publisher of scientific journals and publications, most notably the journal Science...
Award from the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
, the award for Outstanding Contribution to Health Psychology
Health psychology
Health psychology is concerned with understanding how biological, psychological, environmental, and cultural factors are involved in physical health and illness. Health psychologists work alongside other medical professionals in clinical settings, work on behavior change in public health promotion,...
from the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
. He has published 14 books and more than 300 scientific articles and chapters. One book received the Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Book from the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
, and his paper on "Understanding and Preventing Relapse" published in the American Psychologist
American Psychologist
The American Psychologist is the official academic journal of the American Psychological Association. It contains archival documents and articles covering current issues in psychology, the science and practice of psychology, and psychology's contribution to public policy...
was listed as one of the most frequently cited papers in psychology.
Brownell has advised members of congress, governors, world health and nutrition organizations, celebrities, and media leaders on issues of nutrition, obesity, and public policy. He was cited as a "moral entrepreneur" with special influence on public discourse in the history of the obesity field, and was cited by Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine as a leading "warrior" in the area of nutrition and public policy. As Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale
The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity is a non-profit research and public policy organization devoted to improving the world’s diet, preventing obesity, and reducing weight stigma. Located in New Haven, Connecticut at Yale University, the Rudd Center was co-founded in March 2005 by benefactor...
, he oversees all aspects of strategy and programming for the center.
Brownell teaches a class entitled "The Psychology, Biology, and Politics of Food" for Yale undergraduates. The class draws over 200 students each year. He featured in the Academy Award–nominated film Super Size Me
Super Size Me
Super Size Me is a 2004 American documentary film directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock, an American independent filmmaker. Spurlock's film follows a 30-day period from February 1 to March 2, 2003 during which he eats only McDonald's food...
He is credited with coining the terms "toxic food environment
Toxic food environment
The term toxic food environment was coined by Kelly D. Brownell in his book Food Fight: The Inside Story of the Food Industry to describe American culture at the end of the 20th century, one that fosters and promotes obesity and unprecedented food consumption.Brownell is a Yale professor and...
" and "yo-yo dieting
Yo-yo dieting
Yo-yo dieting or Yo-yo effect, also known as weight cycling The term "yo-yo dieting" was coined by Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., at Yale University, in reference to the cyclical up-down motion of a yo-yo. In this process, the dieter is initially successful in the pursuit of weight loss but is...
", is a proponent of a soda tax
Soda tax
A soda tax or soft drink tax is a tax or surcharge on soft drinks. It may focus on sugar-sweetened beverages ....
, and was the first to propose a food tax to improve the nation's food environment.
Selected works
- Food Fight: The Inside Story of the Food Industry, America's Obesity Crisis & What We Can Do About It
- Ounces of Prevention - The Public Policy Case for Taxes of Sugared Beverages: "Perspective" piece in the New England Journal of Medicine, by Kelly Brownell and Tom FriedenTom FriedenDr. Thomas R. Frieden is the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry...
- Personal Responsibility and Obesity: A Constructive Approach to a Controversial Issue
- Want a Healthier State? Save Gov. Paterson's Tax on Sugar Soda: Op-Ed in the New York Daily News
- New York Times features
- Food Makers and Critics Break Bread: Front page article in the Business section
- The Sweet and Lowdown on Sugar: Op-Ed by Kelly Brownell and Marion Nestle
- Food News Blues: Cover story of NewsweekNewsweekNewsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine - Coverage by ABC NewsABC NewsABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
- Center for Science in the Public InterestCenter for Science in the Public InterestCenter for Science in the Public Interest is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit watchdog and consumer advocacy group focusing on nutritional education and awareness.-History and funding:...