Ruopeng An conducts research to assess environmental influences and population-level interventions on weight-related behaviors and outcomes throughout the life course. In particular, his work assesses socioeconomic determinants and policies that affect individuals’ dietary behavior, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and adiposity in children, adults of all ages, and people with disabilities. His research aims to develop a well-rounded knowledge base and policy recommendations that can inform decision-making and the allocation of resources to combat obesity.
An’s research has been funded by federal agencies and private foundations. He serves as a research grant reviewer for NIH, HHS, NSF, and French National Research Agency. An has wide teaching and methodological interests, including applied artificial intelligence (machine and deep learning), quantitative policy analysis (causal inference, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, and microsimulation), applied econometrics and regression analysis, systematic review and meta-analysis, and data storytelling.
An’s numerous publications (over 180) include articles in journals such as American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Obesity Reviews, Social Science & Medicine, and Pediatric Obesity. His research has been widely featured in media, such as TIME, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Reuters, USA Today, Bloomberg, Forbes, Harvard Health, Atlantic, Guardian, CBS, FOX, ABC, NPR, NBC, and CNN. In 2015, he received the Judy K. Black Early Career Research Award from American Academy of Health Behavior. In 2018, he was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology.
