Exploring genetics, nutrition, and food access in Baton Rouge
Where you live shouldn’t determine your ability to access fresh, nutritious food. But for many in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, it does.
In parts of Baton Rouge—especially North Baton Rouge and Scotlandville—accessing fresh, nutritious food is a challenge rather than a choice. Limited access to nutritious food has contributed to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in these communities.
Jennifer Caldwell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to examine how nutrition shapes long-term health. It’s also an opportunity to explore the connection between genetics, food access, and community health, and how researchers like Jennifer Caldwell, Ph.D., MPH, are translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions.
Caldwell is a geneticist and public health researcher whose work examines how ancestry, culture, and behavior influence health outcomes. As a Forge AHEAD pilot awardee and Director of the Public Health Genomics Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, she leads the Linking GAINS Project (Genetics and Improving Nutrition in Scotlandville)—an initiative designed to bridge the gap between research and real-world solutions for communities with limited access to healthy food.
Food Access and Chronic Disease: A Genetic Perspective
Limited access to fresh food increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. When nutritious options aren’t available, many people rely on processed foods that contribute to these health challenges.
How do food access challenges in Baton Rouge affect chronic disease risk, particularly among African American communities?
“While genetic predispositions can influence an individual’s risk for chronic diseases, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise play a crucial role in mitigating these risks. In the Linking GAINS project, participants are educated about how their genetic makeup affects their health. This knowledge empowers them to make informed lifestyle changes, such as adopting healthier eating habits and increasing physical activity, which can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” -Dr. Caldwell
“Epigenetics refers to the way your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.”
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Caldwell’s research highlights that while genetics play a role in disease risk, lifestyle and environment are crucial factors. This concept, known as epigenetics, explains how diet and other external influences can modify genetic expression over time, potentially increasing or decreasing an individual’s risk for chronic conditions.
Bringing Science into the Community: The Linking GAINS Approach
A key challenge in improving nutrition is making health education accessible and relevant to the people it serves. The Linking GAINS Project integrates:
- Genetic Literacy – Teaching participants how family history and genetics influence disease risk.
- Nutrition & Cooking Education – Encouraging healthier eating while respecting cultural food traditions.
- Physical Activity & Health Screenings – Providing fitness opportunities, blood pressure and glucose screenings, and personalized health coaching.
- Community Partnerships – Collaborating with Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) to create nutrition and health programs tailored to community needs.
By combining genetics, nutrition, and behavioral interventions, the project equips residents with the knowledge and tools to make sustainable health changes.
What role has community feedback played in shaping the Linking GAINS project?
“Community feedback has been instrumental in shaping the Linking GAINS project. The initiative emerged from marketplaces for fresh produce sponsored by the Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center, targeting communities in North Baton Rouge, including Scotlandville. This community engagement has led to success stories where participants have benefited from increased access to nutritious foods and education on healthy lifestyle choices.” -Dr. Caldwell
Community-Driven Solutions to Food Access
Baton Rouge is home to several organizations working to improve food access and nutrition education. SUAREC plays a pivotal role in this effort, hosting monthly marketplaces that provide fresh food, nutrition education, and healthcare resources to residents in Scotlandville and North Baton Rouge.
According to representatives from SUAREC, expanding access to fresh food through community partnerships is key to supporting long-term nutrition and health improvements.
How do you address concerns about privacy and skepticism toward genetic testing in the communities you serve?
“The Linking GAINS project addresses concerns about privacy and skepticism toward genetic testing by fostering open dialogues within the community. The project builds trust and encourages participation by providing culturally relevant education and ensuring confidentiality. This approach helps demystify genetic testing and emphasizes its role in personalized health care.” -Dr. Caldwell
Making Nutrition Accessible: Practical Solutions for Louisiana Communities
For many residents, Southern food is more than a diet, it’s a cultural tradition. Promoting healthier eating doesn’t mean giving up beloved dishes. Small changes to cooking methods and ingredient choices can make a difference.
Southern University Ag Center’s JagFresh Market
Quick & Healthy Southern Swaps
Programs like the Med-South Lifestyle Program offer a sustainable, culturally relevant approach to healthier eating. This evidence-based program blends traditional Southern flavors with Mediterranean-style nutrition, emphasizing:
✔ Healthy fats like olive oil instead of lard
✔ More plant-based meals and lean proteins
✔ Whole grains instead of refined grains
✔ Simple ways to stay active daily
This approach allows people to maintain cultural food traditions while making meaningful improvements to their health.
A Collaborative Effort for Better Nutrition
National Nutrition Month is a reminder that food access, cultural traditions, and scientific research all play a role in shaping health outcomes. Addressing nutrition challenges requires partnerships between researchers, community organizations, and local initiatives to develop solutions that last.
🔹 Want to learn more? Listen to Caldwell’s recent podcast episode, “Genes, Greens, and Everything in Between.”
🔹 Support local initiatives by volunteering with food banks, advocating for better food access, or donating to programs that provide fresh produce and nutrition education.
🔹 Stay informed and engaged by following Forge AHEAD’s work in advancing health access and chronic disease prevention in the Deep South.
Together, we can redefine what healthy eating looks like in our communities and create a future where everyone has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.
