Speakers
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State:
John Beard, Ph.D., Professor
Title: Iron Deficiency: Effects on Development and Cognitive Functioning
Iron deficiency is a prevalent nutrient deficiency in pregnant women, young infants, and children, and to a lesser extent, women of reproductive age. One of the consequences of poor
iron status during pregnancy is the impact on fetal growth and development. Current research tells us there are persistent effects of early life iron deficiency (ID) that are not
remediated by dietary approaches. That is, infants who are iron deficient at 12–24 months of age give rise to adults in their 20s who have diminished intellectual functioning
and behavioral differences compared to young adults who were not ID in early life. This presentation will review the evidence from human and animal model studies as to the current
state of knowledge. I will also try and associate these dysfunctions into reality of daily living and the economic costs to individuals, communities, and nations to this nutritional
deficit.
Biosketch: Dr. John Beard has been a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences since 1984. Much of his work has focused on how the body handles iron at the
molecular level; for example, one of his recent projects investigates the role of iron in dopamine metabolism. Dr. Beard has also maintained an active research interest in iron status
of children at the global level, with special concern for African populations. He is currently involved in a large multi-university NIH project on brain and behavior in early iron
deficiency. Dr. Beard has served on numerous national and international committees and was most recently honored with the 2007 Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career
Award from the Alumni Society of the College of Health and Human Development.
Terry Hartman, Ph.D., RD, Associate Professor
Title: Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: New Recommendations from the WCRF/AICR
This talk will feature information on the recommendations for cancer prevention and control from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research
(WCRF/AICR) as well as insider information relevant to the basis and methodology used during the recommendation process.
Biosketch: Dr. Terry Hartman is a nutritional epidemiologist who completed training in cancer prevention and control at the National Cancer Institute. She was the
lead scientist for recently completed systematic literature reviews on nutrition and cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract which were used by the WCRF/AICR is establishing their
dietary recommendations for these cancer sites. Her current research interests focus on diet and diet-related factors and cancer prevention and control, particularly colon and breast
cancer.
Gordon Jensen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Head
Title: Obesity and Aging: A New Look at an Old Problem
The growing prevalence of obesity among older persons has been well documented. This presentation will review the adverse impacts of overweight and obesity in older populations on
health, function, and life quality. Dr. Jensen will explore the compelling question as to whether intervention can make a difference.
Biosketch: Dr. Gordon Jensen was appointed professor and head of nutritional sciences at Penn State in 2007. He also serves as professor of medicine at the Penn State
Hershey Medical Center and is a specialist in nutrition with Centre Medical and Surgical Associates at the Mt. Nittany Medical Center. He previously worked with the Vanderbilt Medical
group from 1998–2007 and served as director of the Vanderbilt Center for Human Nutrition in 1999–2007. A widely recognized nutrition researcher and educator, he has made
numerous presentations at national and international meetings, as well as served on advisory panels, study sections, or work groups for the American Board of Nutrition, the National
Institutes of Health, the American Dietetic Association, and the Food and Nutrition Board. Dr. Jensen's research interests have focused largely on geriatric nutrition concerns.
Barbara Lohse, Ph.D., RD, Associate Professor
Title: Back Translating Eating Competence into Education for Adults
This session translates the eating competence construct as applied to adults and back translates it to develop and evaluate innovative interventions to enhance eating competence.
Biosketch: Barbara Lohse is an associate professor of nutrition education and community nutrition in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. She is the Principal
Investigator of Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Tracks, the Food Stamp Nutrition Education program funded by USDA, and the PA Department of Public Welfare. Dr. Lohse’s research
focuses on cognitive behaviors of eating and impact on health for low income and young adults with application to nutrition education intervention development and evaluation.
Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State:
Lori Francis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Title: Poverty and Obesity in Children: Costs and Benefits
This presentation will cover the various ways in which poverty (e.g., food insecurity, neighborhood poverty, and household poverty) influences the development of
obesity in children. The speaker will mainly focus on the ways in which poverty affects obesity-promoting dietary intake and meal patterns, but will also cover the benefits of
participation in government programs (e.g., WIC, Food Stamp Program, school breakfast/lunch) on dietary and obesity outcomes.
Biosketch: Dr. Lori Francis is an assistant professor of biobehavioral health and the Center for Family Research in Diverse Contexts at Penn State. She is a
developmental psychologist with expertise in early childhood influences on problematic eating behaviors and the development of obesity in childhood and adolescence. Dr. Francis’
research has focused on factors that promote sedentary activity and inadequate dietary and growth patterns in children, particularly factors within the immediate family environment
that influence energy balance in children, including race/ethnicity, culture and poverty.
Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Penn State:
Alison Ventura, M.S., doctoral candidate
Title: What Influences the Development of Children's Eating Behaviors and Weight Gain Patterns?
Since the 1980s, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically. We are just now starting to understand the factors that contribute to this trend. This presentation
will focus on caregiver and familial influences on the emergence of dieting, dietary patterns, dietary preferences, and overconsumption, as they relate to the development of
overweight during childhood. We know caregivers and family environments are important influences on the development of children's eating and weight gain patterns, but this
presentation will examine some specific modifiable influences on children's eating that can be targeted for effective prevention of overweight in children.
Biosketch: Alison is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State. She received two masters degrees from Penn
State in 2005, one in nutritional sciences and one in human development and family studies, and she received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California,
Davis, in 2003. She will obtain her doctorate this spring. During her time at Penn State, Alison has worked under the mentorship of Dr. Leann Birch, an internationally renowned
expert in child feeding and the development of overweight during childhood. Alison's dissertation work has focused on the developmental trajectory of overweight in girls ages
5–15 years.
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