Early-life sugar restrictions and long-term health

Abstract

Tadeja Gračner will discuss evidence on how early-life sugar exposure shapes long-term health trajectories. Drawing from natural experiments and longitudinal studies, she will examine critical developmental windows during which exposure to a specific early-life diet may influence the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The talk will explore potential mechanisms and discuss implications for early childhood interventions.

About the speaker

Tadeja Gračner is a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California. Her research examines socio-economic determinants and behavioral risk factors associated with obesity and related chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. She investigates how food policies, healthcare interventions, and chronic disease management affect long-term health outcomes across the United States, Mexico, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Her work employs causal inference methods and natural experiments, drawing on administrative records, longitudinal surveys, and clinical data. Her research has been published in journals like Science, AEJ: Economic Policy, JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Internal Medicine, Journal of Health Economics, Annals of Surgery, or Obesity, and covered by media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Scientifc American, Good Morning America, CNN or BBC News. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BSc from the University of Ljubljana

We anticipate your attendance at the seminar with pleasure and appreciate your participation.

The host at the School of Economics and Business is Daša Farčnik PhD.