Working in the broad area of health communication, he ventured into the largely unchartered territory of nutrition communication. With over two decades of experience in nutrition science, public policy, and community engagement, Dr. Gavaravarapu has made significant contributions to nutrition communication, food safety, and public health.

His research explores the contextual, cultural, and communicative processes that shape food environments. His work covers key areas such as food labelling, vendor education, workplace nutritional wellbeing, and the management of misinformation during health crises. Notably, his studies on food labelling have informed policy and regulation in India, and he served on the expert committee that formulated the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024.

He currently leads the “Let’s Fix Our Food” consortium—a multi-pronged initiative aimed at improving adolescent food environments by reducing the consumption of high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods. He also spearheaded the development of Nutrition Atlas 2.0 https://www.nutritionatlasindia.in, a web application that geo- visualizes nutrition and health data from national surveys across various age and physiological groups. He has also co-developed innovative nutrition apps like NutriAIDE and Nutrify India Now (Version-1).

A prolific researcher, he has over 92 peer-reviewed publications, contributed 16 book chapters, and edited 3 volumes. In recognition of his contributions to nutrition science, although, originally trained as a social scientist, he has been recognised as Professor in the Faculty of Medical Research by the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). He has supervised or co-supervised over 7 doctoral dissertations and several Master's theses.

His leadership roles include chairing the Scientific Panel on Food Labelling at FSSAI, serving on the Working Groups of NITI Aayog, Codex Committees on Food Labelling and the Bureau of Indian Standards, and advising organizations such as the Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission, HRIDAY, and the Akshyapatra Foundation. He also contributes to several editorial boards, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour, Indian Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics and previously served as the Asian Editor for the American Journal of Health Behavior. Until July 2023, he chaired the Health Communication Working Group of the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). In addition to his academic and policy work, Dr. Gavaravarapu has actively engaged in community outreach. He conducted over 300 awareness sessions, participated in several television, radio programmes, developed educational videos and wrote more than 80 popular articles on nutrition and food safety, significantly enhancing public understanding and fostering evidence-based nutrition practices.

His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Outstanding Nutrition Scientist Award from the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies, the Buti Science Communication Award from the Gujarat Science Academy, the Dr. Coluthur Gopalan Endowment Lecture Award, the VN Patwardhan Prize from ICMR, and the Mid-Career Award from the American Society of Nutrition. He is a fellow of both the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS) and the Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH), UK.

1. Jaleel A, Chukkala SS, Sriswan R, Panda H, Singnale P, Meshram II, Avula L, Hariharan GN, Arlappa N, Gavaravarapu SM*. Cultivating nutrition: exploring participants’ perspectives on nutrition gardens and nutrition education program in rural Tamil Nadu and Odisha, India. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2025 Feb 12;9:1502711.
2. Murira Z, Daniel A, Backholer K, Dorji K, Gavaravarapu SM, Sethi V. Strengthening legal measures to support access to nutritious foods and healthy food environments for adolescent girls in South Asia. bmj. 2025 Mar 3;388, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080361
3. Singhvi B, Singh V, Gavaravarapu SM, Konapur A. “All You Need to Manage Blood Pressure”: A Comprehensive e-Education Program for Hypertension. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2024 Nov 22. Online first - DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.09.010
4. Nandeep ER, Mahajan H, Mummadi MK, Sairam C, K V, Kadiyam J, Meshram I, Pagidoju S, Reddy VR, Panda H, Pullakandham R, Geddam JJB, Gavaravarapu SM, Hemalatha R, Reddy N S. Implementation, delivery, and utilization of iron fortified rice supplied through public distribution system across different states in India: An exploratory mixed-method study. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Aug 7;4(8):e0003533. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003533
5. Samin S, Kim S, Scott S, Blake CE, Patwardhan S, Chauhan A, Neupane S, Gavaravarapu SM, Pandey P, Menon P. Consumption, sources, and perceptions of unhealthy foods Among adults and adolescents in rural South Asia. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2024, 8 (Supplement 2): 102986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102986
6. Odii BC, Harder MK, Huang Y, Chapman A, Sougou NM,Kolopaking R, SubbaRao Gavaravarapu SRM, Diallo AH, Anggorowati R, Rao SF, Heffernanet C. Sociocultural environmental factors and childhood stunting: qualitative studies – a protocol for the Shared Values theme of the UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2024; 8: e001906. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2023-001906
7. Keren, T.H.,Gavaravarapu, S.M., , Ramesh, B.S. and Yagnambhatt VR. Sports nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire for Indian adolescent athletes—an exploratory sequential mixed-method study. Sport Sciences for Health (2024). Springer Nature Publication.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01180-1
8. Kachwaha Kim SS, Das JK, Rasheed S,Gavaravarapu SM,, Rana PP, Menon P. Behavior Change Interventions to Address Unhealthy Food Consumption: A Scoping Review. Current Developments in Nutrition, 2024: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102104
9. Bassi S, Bah Dl, Gopal S, Sethi V, Backholer K, Gavaravarapu SRM*, Babu GR, Ghosh-Jerath S, Bhatia N, Aneja K, Kataria A, Mishra P, De Wagt A, Arora M. Are advertising policies affirmative in restricting the marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in India?: Evidence from SWOT Analysis, The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100315
10. Banerjee P, Chatterjee M, Panda H, Varanasi B and Gavaravaravpu SRM*,Fitness-bands as self-motivation tools to promote dietary Habits and physical activity - a study on users’ perceptions and pairing their usage with nutri-guidance. Journal of Content, Community and Communication. 2023 Vol 19 (Doi - 10.31620/JCCC.12.23/06)
11. Banerjee P, Reddy GB, Panda H, Angadi KK, Reddy T,Gavaravarapu SM*. Diets, Lifestyles and Metabolic Risk Factors among Corporate Information Technology (IT) Employees in South India. Nutrients. 2023 Jul 31;15(15):3404. doi: 10.3390/nu15153404. PMID: 37571341; PMCID: PMC10421222.
12. Zorbas C, Jeyapalan D, Peeters A, Kapeke K, Sethi V, Murira Z, Gavaravarapu SM* , Backholer K. World Children's Day 2022: power, policy, and children's rights to nutrition. The Lancet. 2022; Nov 18. (IF-202)
13. Sabbithi A, Kumar RN,Gavaravarapu SRM*, Balakrishna N, Rao VS. Food safety knowledge and practices of street food handlers for designing training module-a needs assessment study. Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene. 2023; 9(1):24-37.
14. Pandiyan A, Lari S, Vanka J,Gavaravarapu SM*. Jee B, Jonnalagadda PR. Knowledge, attitude and practices related to pesticide usage among farmers: Findings from a hospital based cross-sectional study. Work. 2023 76(3):1061-1070. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220038
15. Tattari S,Gavaravarapu SR, Pullakhandam R, Bhatia N, Kaur S, Sarwal R, Rajkumar H, Reddy GB. Nutritional requirements for the elderly in India: A status paper. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2022 Sep;156(3):411-413.
16. Banerjee P, Reddy BG, Gavaravarapu SM . Identifying opportunities and barriers for introducing a workplace nutrition and health program for employees: Findings from formative research. Work. 2021 Work. 2022;73(4):1175-1187. Doi: 10.3233/WOR-211017 (IF 1.8)
17. Konapur A,Gavaravarapu SRM*, Nair KM. The ‘Five A’s’ Approach for Contextual Assessment of Food Environment. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2022 54(7):621-635. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.02.017 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2022.02.017 (IF 3.045)
18. Gavaravarapu SRM*, Banerjee P, Seal A, Pittla N, Reddy TM. Impact of ‘Infodemic in Pandemic’ on food and nutrition related perceptions and practices of Indian internet users. PLOS ONE. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266705 (IF - 3.24)
19. Seal A,Gavaravaravpu SRM, Konapur A. Can foodporn prime healthy eating? Thinking beyond digital gazing and satiety. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022. (IF - 4.016)
20. Saha S, Sudershan RV,Gavaravarapu SRM*.Health and nutrition claims on food labels– Means of communication that can influence food choices of adolescents. Journal of Content, Community and Communication. 2021, Vol. 13(7); 113-124 DOI: 10.31620/JCCC.06.21/11
21. Hedaoo RP, Kabra P, Gavaravarapu SM*. “Nutritainment” -A Nutrition Education Module for Indian Adolescents. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2021; 3(2): 187 -190
22. Pande R, Gavaravarapu SRM*, Kulkarni B. Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in India. Lancet Public Health. 2020, 1; 5(4):e19
23. Hedaoo R,SubbaRao M GavaravarapuUnderstanding body image perception and body image discontentment in early adolescence. Indian Journal of Community Health. 2020; 32(2):411-417.
24. Sobhana PP, Kandlakunta B, Nagaraju R, Thappatla D, Epparapalli S, Vemula SR,Gavaravarapu SR, Korrapati D. Human clinical trial to assess the effect of consumption of multigrain Indian bread on glycemic regulation in type 2 diabetic participants. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2020; 1: e13465.
25. Cherian KS,Gavaravarapu SM, Sainoji A, Yagnambhatt VR. Coaches’ perceptions about food, appetite, and nutrition of adolescent Indian athletes-A qualitative study. Heliyon. 2020 Feb 1;6(2):e03354 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03354(IF.1.66)
26. Banerjee P, Damayanthi K, Mendu VVR SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu. Calorie counting smart phone apps: effectiveness in nutritional awareness, lifestyle modification and weight management among young Indian adults. Health Informatics Journal, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458219852531 (IF – 1.8333)
27. Bamji MS, Rajnikant S,Gavaravarapu SM"Gandhi and Health @ 150: Foot prints of ICMR's Century Long Journey" (Book Review), Current Science, 117(8): 1376-1377 (IF – 0.756)
28. Sabbithi A, Naveenk Kumar R,Gavaravarapu SM* Balakrishna N, Vemula SR. Safety of cooked foods in home and street vended conditions beyond 2 hours: relevance of ‘safe storage temperature’ message from WHO’s 5 keys for safe food in India. International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2019
29. Gavaravarapu SM*, Nutrition Communication – Rhetoric and Reality. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2019; 149(3): 333-344 (IF – 2.061)
30. Konapur A, Krishnapillai M, Nagalla B, & , Gavaravarapu SM. A sequential, exploratory, mixed-methods approach for development and validation of a context-specific knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire on micronutrients for literate mothers of school-age children. Public Health Nutrition, 2019; 22(11): 2120-2131. doi:10.1017/S1368980019000521 (IF – 2.483)
31. Gavaravarapu SMand Hemaltha R. Food for thought - Thought for food: Mahatma’s views on nutrition, controlled and balanced diets. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2019, 149(7):119-127. (Special issue on Gandhi and Health @150) (IF- 2.061)
32. SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu, Archana Konapur, Madhavan Nair Krishnapillai, Balakrishna Nagalla. Dimensions of Food Environment Impacting Diet Diversity and Micronutrient Intakes in Middle Income Households: A Mixed Methods Study in Rural South India.Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2019;75(suppl 3):1–424 DOI: 10.1159/0005017512013: 63 (Suppl. 1); 828 (Abstract)
33. Paromita Banerjee,SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu, G Bhanuprakash Reddy. Assessment of Lifestyle, Food Environment and Nutrition Parameters of IT Employees for Development of a Workplace Wellness Programme. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2019; 75(suppl 3):1–424 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract)
34. Radhika Hedaoo, Ria Jain,SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu. Understanding Body Image Discontent and Body Image Perception among Adolescents. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2019;75 (suppl 3):1–424 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract)
35. Archana Konapur, Madhavan Nair Krishnapillai, Balakrishna Nagalla,SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu. Micronutrient Adequacy in Rural Indian Children’s Diets – Need for Country Specific Tool. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2019; 75(suppl 3):1–424 DOI: 10.1159/000501751. (Abstract)
36. Gavaravarapu SM, Hemalatha R. National Institute of Nutrition: 100 years of empowering the nation through nutrition. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2018 Nov;148(5):477-487 (IF – 2.061)
37. Banerjee P,Gavaravarapu SM*.Wellness programmes in the workplace in India. The Lancet Public Health. 2018 Nov 1; 3(11):e515. (IF – 11.600)
38. Dey K, Gavaravarapu SM*,Bannerjee P, Balakrishna N, Sudershan RV. Food scares propagated by Media and their Impact on Consumer Perception of Food safety and consumption pattern. Journal of Content, Community & Communication, 2018; 8(4): 1-7
39. Aiswarya R, Sudershan RV, Rao MVV, Konapur A,Gavaravarapu SM*. Perceptions and Practices Related to Consumption of ‘Energy Drinks'. The Indian Journal of Nutrition And Dietetics, 2018, 55(4):412
40. Hedaoo R,Gavaravarapu SM*, Rhetoric and Reality of Nutrition Promotion through Entertainment Education-A Review of Research from Last Six Decades. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. 2017 Oct 1;8(4). (Cite Score – 0.02)
41. Gavaravarapu SM,Saha S, Vemula SR, Mendu VV. Read-B4-U-Eat: A Multi-component Communication Module to Promote Food Label Reading Skills Among Adolescents in India. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2016 Sep; 48(8):586. (IF – 2.833)
42. Gavaravarapu SM, Konapur A, Saha S. Role of education and communication interventions in promoting micronutrient status in India–what research in the last two decades informs?. Journal of Communication in Healthcare. 2017; 10(4) (IF – 0.7)
43. Surpur S, Hedaoo R Gavaravarapu SM(2017). Environmental pressures: stress as a culpable factor affecting dietary choices among adolescents. Indian Journal of Applied Research. 2017 vii. 763-766.
44. Nalam A, Gavaravarapu SM*Kodali V, Dharmapuri RR. Pictorial Learning and Visual Imagery-Based Activity Methods in Nutrition Education for Primary Schoolchildren in India. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2017, 49(3); pp.264-267 (IF – 2.8333)
45. Sabbithi A, Reddi SL, Naveen Kumar R, Bhaskar VGavaravarapu SM* & Vemula SR. Identifying critical risk practices among street food handlers. British Food Journal, 2017; 119 (2); 390-400. (IF -1.717)
46. Bhaskarachary K, Vemula SR,Gavaravarapu SM*, Joshi AK. Traditional Foods, Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 2016: 82 (5); 1565-1577. (IF – 0.4)
47. Reddi SL, Kumar RN,Gavaravarapu SM, Rao MV, Sudershan RV. (2016). Bacteriological quality of drinking water at point of use and hand hygiene of primary food preparers: implications for household food safety. Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. 2016 Jun 1; 6(2):224-30. (IF – 0.977)
48. Yella R, Kumar RN, Vemula SR, Nagalla B,Gavaravarapu SM*. Food Safety in Domestic Refrigerators-A Mixed Methods Study to Identify Key Messages for Promoting Safe Storage Practices among Households. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016 Mar 1;53(1):1-4.
49. Gavaravarapu SM,Rao KM, Nagalla B, & Avula L (2015). Assessing Differences in Risk Perceptions About Obesity Among “Normal-Weight” and “Overweight” Adolescents–A Qualitative Study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2015. 47(6):488-97. (IF – 2.833).
50. Gavaravarapu SM & Nair KM. From farm to plate & beyond-A culture & context sensitive perspective for food safety. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2015; 141(4), 377. (IF – 2.061)

FELLOWSHIP OF NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMIES (INSA, NASI, IAS, INAE) AND INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIES Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), 2021 Fellow of Royal Society of Public Health, UK, 2019

AWARDS BY ICMR AND NATIONAL ACADEMIES ETC. Gujarat Science Academy - Buti Foundation (GSA-Buti) Award for Science Communication, 2022 VN Patwardhan Prize for excellence in Nutrition related areas from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) International Fellowship for Young Scientists 2012 - 3 month tenure at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. Jan - April 2013 Finalist and runner-up in the NASI-SCOPUS Young Scientists Awards 2014 in Social Sciences

AWARDS BY THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES Outstanding Nutrition Scientist Award from Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS) at Asian Congress of Nutrition, China, 2023 Coluthur Gopalan Endowment Lecture Award 2024 from Dr NGP College of Science & Arts, Coimbatore Mid-career Award in Nutrition Education & Behavior Science Section from American Society for Nutrition, 2020 Silver Author Recognition Award from Journal of Nutrition Education Behavior (Elsevier Journal with IF - 2.869) for frequency and excellence in manuscripts, for 3 consecutive years - 2018, 2019 & 2020 Platinum City Strategist Award 2009 from Foundation for Futuristic Cities, Hyderabad for developing a strategy on streamlining street food vending in Hyderabad. JN Bose Memorial Award for Community Nutrition - 2008 from the Indian Dietetic Association. Young Scientist Award in Community Nutrition from Nutrition Society of India in 2004 POSITIONS IN EDITORIAL BOARDS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES Secretary, Nutrition Society of India (NSI), 2024-26 Chair, Health Communication Working Group, International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) 2016 – 2023 Asian Editor for American Journal of Health Behavior since 2013-2021 Editorial Board Member, Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior (2011-17 & 2020-till date) Treasurer, Nutrition Society of India (NSI), 2015 - till date Review Editor for ‘Frontiers in Communication’ Journal, 2016- till date

1. Chair, Scientific Panel on Food Labelling, Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 2023- till date
2. Member, Working Group on Nutrition Strategy for India, NITI Aayog 2024-till date
3. Member of the Scientific Committee of FSSAI
4. Member, EWG on Food Labelling, Codex Alimentarius Commission
5. Member of FAD 15, Bureau of Indian Standards, 2023-till date
6. Member, Scientific Panel on Food Labelling and Claims/Advertisements, Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 2020-2023
7. Member of the Technical Expert Group of Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission since 2023
8. Advisory Board Member, Akshayapatra Foundation
9. Member of the Research Advisory Board, HRIDAY
10. Member, Technical Advisory Group, A Scalable Programme Incorporating Early child development intervention (ASPIRE) undertaken by UNICEF HFO, Sangath, and WCD Telangana.
11. Member, Departmental Committee, Department of Communication, SN School, University of Hyderabad 2022