Researchers examine ways to improve retail experience for WIC program recipients
November 27, 2018
A team led by Gillings School researchers examined the retail experience of customers of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and identified ways in which the experience of WIC recipients could be improved.
Gordon-Larsen named associate dean for research
November 2, 2018
Dr. Penny Gordon-Larsen, an internationally recognized obesity researcher with an outstanding record of scholarship and leadership, recently was named the Gillings School's associate dean for research.
Martin to identify interventions to support exclusive breastfeeding in Tanzania
October 29, 2018 Dr. Stephanie Martin was awarded a one-year, $91,500 Trainee Bridge Fund Award from the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation and the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation. The grant will support her work to identify potential interventions to support exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in urban Tanzania.
Mayer-Davis reappointed as nutrition chair
October 12, 2018
Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis has been reappointed to a 5-year term as chair of the Gillings School's nutrition department. "I am impressed and highly motivated on a daily basis by the deep dedication and incredible talent of our department's students, faculty and staff,” she said.
For teens with Type 1 diabetes, lower socioeconomic status is linked with higher rates of obesity
October 4, 2018
Approximately 36 percent of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes are overweight or obese. A recent study found that, especially among females in this population, markers of lower socioeconomic status may be associated with higher body fat in the first decade following diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes.
Go NapSACC awarded $3M NIH grant to improve healthy eating and activity practices in child care programs
October 3, 2018
A four-year, $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support a study to help ensure the adoption of healthy eating and physical activity practices by child care programs. The grant will bring Go NapSACC, an evidence-based program developed by Dr. Dianne Ward, to child care providers in Kentucky. Photo by Leo Rivas.
Breaking the link between obesity, gastrointestinal cancers
September 30, 2018 Previous studies have demonstrated a connection between obesity and a person’s risk of developing colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. Now, scientists are investigating approaches that can break that relationship. Dr. Steven Hursting has co-authored an extensive review of research establishing the biological links between obesity and various gastrointestinal cancers, and of studies showing how various weight-related interventions may help reverse this connection.
Study finds race and ethnic health disparities for young children in outcomes of Type 1 diabetes
September 23, 2018 Black and Hispanic children with Type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of experiencing poorer glucose control over time, a finding that shows minority health disparities in patients with diabetes begins soon after diagnosis, according to new research published in JAMA. Medical and doctoral student Anna Kahkoska led the study. Photo by Patrick Giblin.
New study finds FLEX intervention improves psychosocial outcomes for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes
September 13, 2018 Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis led a study to test the efficacy of Flexible Lifestyles Empowering Change (FLEX), an 18-month intervention to improve outcomes for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Photo courtesy of TV Brazil.
Styblo, Fry awarded NIH grant to examine impact of pre- and postnatal exposure to arsenic on diabetes
September 8, 2018 Drs. Mirek Styblo and Rebecca Fry were awarded more than $2.2 million by the National Institutes of Health to study diabetes associated with exposure to arsenic, a common drinking water and food contaminant. Photo by Paul Istoan.
