Cara F. Ruggiero

About Me

I am a nutrition researcher with expertise in mixed methods to develop interventions and policies to improve the health of families.  Broadly, my research focuses on early life contributors to obesity at the intersection of families and their surrounding food environment. My research interests include: 1) Identifying individual and family level factors that contribute to the development of obesity during childhood; 2) Improving the food environment of the home and broader community context; and 3) Collaborating with communities, clinical professionals, and decision-makers to identify interventions and policies to maximize sustainability.

I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition Equity at Mass General for Children and I also have an appointment at Harvard Medical School. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to work directly with children and their families. I am a practicing registered dietitian at Mass General for Children and provide coverage in The Center for Feeding & Nutrition, which offers multidisciplinary care for children with a variety of feeding difficulties as well as the Raising Healthy Hearts Program, which aims to help children and families who are facing challenges and health conditions related to weight or abnormal cholesterol levels or have a family history of heart disease.

I completed my PhD in Nutritional Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University in 2022. My dissertation explored parent feeding practices and early life obesity prevention, with a focus on sibling influence. I'm currently aiming to expand that work to develop 'whole family' approaches to address obesity and food insecurity. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new rooftop restaurants around Boston and taking barre classes. 

Education and Academic Affiliations

• PhD, Nutritional Sciences, Penn State University

• MS, Nutritional Sciences, Penn State University

• BS, Dietetics, University of Delaware

• Postdoctoral Training, Harvard-wide Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship

Professional Societies

2023-present Healthy Eating Research Early Stage Investigator Work Group

2022-present The International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

2021-2023 Social Events Co-Chair, British Feeding and Drinking Group Annual Meeting Organizing Committee

2021-2022    Graduate Student Representative, American Society for Nutrition Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatrics Interest Section

2020-present British Feeding and Drinking Group

2019-2020    Graduate Student Representative, American Society for Nutrition Obesity Research Interest Section

2018-present American Society for Nutrition Member

2018-present The Obesity Society Member

2014-2015    State Networking Coordinator, Thirty and Under in Nutrition and Dietetics Member Interest Group      

2009-present Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Formerly American Dietetic Association)    

Editorial Activities

Ad hoc reviewer for Pediatrics, JAMA Pediatrics, International Journal of Obesity, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, American Journal of Health Promotion, Health Promotion Practice, Appetite, Pediatric Obesity, BMC Public Health, Nutrients, International Quarterly of Community Health Education, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior