Associate Professor Ruby Nguyen is co-leading a study investigating how best to provide sexual and intimate partner/domestic violence services in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maternal & Child Health
Kids or teen smokers are less likely to kick the habit as adults
Research led by Professor David Jacobs found that the younger people start smoking, the more likely they are to smoke daily as an adult — even into their 40s — and the harder it will be to quit.
Intuitive eating during teenage years linked to better mental health and eating behaviors in adulthood
Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer co-authored a study that showed adolescents who regulated how much they ate based on feelings of hunger and fullness were found to experience less depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and other related health issues in adulthood.
Increasing community connection could reduce violent encounters between police and young black men
PhD student Collin Calvert led a survey of various stakeholders to learn why they think violent encounters between law enforcement and young black men occur in their communities.
Child participation in organized activities interferes with family meals
The study by researcher Nicole Larson revealed parents who said they experienced moderate to high interference with having family meals also reported lower family meal frequency, greater difficulty scheduling family meals, and more fast-food intake.
Disordered eating in adolescence linked to higher BMI levels in adulthood
Postdoctoral fellow Cynthia Yoon led the study which showed that adolescents who engaged in two or more disordered eating behaviors, such as frequent dieting, had higher BMI levels in adulthood than those who did not use those behaviors.
Researchers call for updates to obesity pregnancy guidelines
Associate Professor Jamie Stang co-wrote a commentary calling for the review of the U.S. guidelines to assure they reflect current research and thinking as well as factor in the diversity of women across the country.
Examining secondhand smoke and cardiovascular risks in children
The study co-authored by Associate Professor Kyle Rudser revealed increased stiffness in the abdominal aorta in children exposed to secondhand smoke.
Less sleep linked to teen obesity, poor eating habits and low physical activity
Research led by Associate Professor Rachel Widome showed nearly 30% of teens studied reported getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.
Rural residents at greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality compared to urban residents
The study led by Associate Professor Katy Kozhimannil showed there were approximately 4,378 more cases of severe maternal morbidity and mortality among rural women than urban women.
Providing culturally sensitive pregnancy care to black women
Research by PhD student J’Mag Karbeah identified key culturally sensitive values and practices among providers at a successful freestanding birth center serving a diverse urban community.
Culturally centered birth center improves value and equity in perinatal care
Assistant Professor Rachel Hardeman found the culturally centered care model of a Minneapolis birth center shows promise for delivering healthy babies and reducing racial inequities.