Nutrition / Diet / Health

Eating right and being healthy are major concerns for many people in today's society. Health experts at Washington University can provide advice and assistance on food choices, exercise habits, weight loss and many other healthy lifestyle choices.

Faculty Experts:

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Ross Brownson Professor A leading expert in chronic disease prevention and an expert in the area of applied epidemiology, Ross Brownson is regarded as one of the great intellectual, educational, and practice leaders in the field of evidence-based public health. Expertise: Chronic disease prevention, evidence-based public health, policy effects on physical activity and obesity Direct contact: 314-362-9641 / rbrownson@wustl.edu

Debra Haire-Joshu Professor Debra Haire-Joshu is an internationally renowned scholar of health behavior who develops population wide interventions to reduce obesity and prevent diabetes, particularly among underserved youth. Expertise: Health policy, obesity and diabetes prevention in underserved populations, public health Direct contact: 314-362-9554 / djoshu@wustl.edu

Matthew Kreuter Professor Matt Kreuter is a leading national public health expert in the field of health communications. Expertise: Health communication, cancer prevention and control, health disparities Direct contact: 314-935-3701 / mkreuter@wustl.edu

Timothy McBride Associate Dean for Public Health McBride Tim McBride has been active in testifying before Congress and consulting with important policy constituencies on Medicare, insurance and rural health policy issues. He is a member of the Rural Policy Research Institute Health Panel that provides expert advice on rural health issues to the U.S. Congress ... Expertise: Health insurance, universal health care, public health, Medicare policy, health economics, gerontology and Social Security, state health policy, … Direct contact: 314-935-4356 / tmcbride@wustl.edu

Paul Shattuck Assistant Professor of Social Work Paul Shattuck's research and teaching focuses on autism, social policy, research methods, human behavior and the social environment, health and society, and disability studies. He has published a number of articles on the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The Journal of Autism and ... Expertise: autism, social policy, research methods, human behavior and the social environment, health and society, disability studies Direct contact: (314) 935-7570 / pshattuck@wustl.edu

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News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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Flu season Eating, drinking and lifestyle changes can boost immunity to ward off seasonal flu Nov. 5, 2009 -- Diekman College students looking to stay healthy during flu and exam season need to focus on three very important factors, says a nutritionist at Washington University in St. Louis. "It's really pretty simple," says Connie Diekman, RD, director of University Nutrition and immediate past president of the American Dietetic Association. "There are three key things to think about. No. 1 is hydration. No. 2 is foods and No. 3 is lifestyle issues."

Holiday cheer or holiday hunger? Nearly half of all U.S. children will use food stamps, says poverty expert Nov. 2, 2009 -- Holidays and tables full of delicious food usually go hand in hand, but for nearly half of the children in the United States, this is not guaranteed. "49 percent of all U.S. children will be in a household that uses food stamps at some point during their childhood," says Mark R. Rank, Ph.D., poverty expert at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. "Food stamp use is a clear sign of poverty and food insecurity, two of the most detrimental economic conditions affecting a child's health." Rank's study, "Estimating the Risk of Food Stamp Use and Impoverishment During Childhood," is published in the current issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Video available.

Major milestone in the health care debate Expert discusses the next steps for health care reform in the U.S. Oct. 16, 2009 -- With health care legislation now up for debate in both the House and the Senate, comprehensive health care reform is closer than ever, says Timothy McBride, Ph.D., health economist and associate dean of public health at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. McBride says that there is still much work to be done with health care reform and contentious issues remain. Among those are the public option, how the legislation will be financed, the generosity of the coverage, Medicare Advantage reforms and whether there will be mandates for employers to offer coverage. (Video available)

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Related News Clips:

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Show More Nutrition / Diet / Health Clips

Commentary: More Funding To End Migraine Forbes.com Sept. 10, 2009 -- Cindy McCain explains the need for more funding for research to cure migraine headaches. As a nation, we spend very little on research into the causes and treatments of migraines. It is estimated that the NIH spends less than $13 million a year for migraine research. Neurology professor Todd Schwedt of WUSTL's Headache Center says that based on the burden migraine exacts from society, funding should be closer to $260 million.

Elusive price tag for universal health coverage MSNBC.com Sept. 10, 2009 -- How much is it going to cost to provide health care for all Americans? Until the details are complete, the only honest answer is: no one knows, reports John Schoen. "We know that the underinsured tend to be healthier," said Timothy McBride, associate dean for WUSTL's public health. "So if they were to get insured they would not be as expensive as the rest of us."

Protein found to control form of diabetes United Press International and 4 others Sept. 10, 2009 -- U. of Iowa scientists say they've discovered a molecular mechanism regulates specialized pancreatic cells and insulin secretion in a form of diabetes. The study that also involved researchers at WUSTL is reported in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Girls Gotta Move Health.com Sept. 1, 2009 -- In the last decade, there's been a boom in children running races that were once strictly for adults. Getting kids outside and active is obviously a good thing. But are the physical and mental demands of long-distance running safe for children? At what age is competition appropriate, and what do parents need to keep in mind? WUSTL pediatric sports medicine specialist Mark Halstead, who has been a distance runner for most of his adult life, offers advice.

Meat, Dairy Won't Up Odds for Breast Cancer U.S. News & World Report online and 8 others Aug. 31, 2009 -- For years, dietary factors have been debated as either boosting or reducing the risk of breast cancer, with research yielding conflicting results. But in the new research, scientists could not conclude that meat, eggs or dairy product intake as an adult raised breast cancer risk. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and director of university nutrition at WUSTL comments.

Belly fat may be innocent bystander United Press International and 2 others Aug. 26, 2009 -- Belly fat has long been blamed for obesity-related disease but it may actually only be something of an innocent bystander, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Liver fat may be the important risk factor for obesity-related metabolic disorders often linked to diabetes, heart disease and other diseases. Includes comments by senior investigator and WUSTL nutrition expert Samuel Klein.

Child athlete's death revives heart testing debate Associated Press and 24 others Aug. 25, 2009 -- An obese eighth-grader's sudden death during a football conditioning lap has revived discussion about whether testing children's hearts before they engage in sports or strenuous activity is necessary. WUSTL cardiovascular professor Keith Mankowitz, who directs an athletes screening program, said some conditions go undetected during routine screening.

Scientists, doctors unite to fight malnutrition MSNBC.com and 27 others July 29, 2009 -- WUSTL pediatrician Mark Manary, a doctor who has long treated malnourished people, is working with plant scientists trying to improve the nutritional content of food.

Campus Care Improves The Wall Street Journal July 27, 2009 -- Many college health clinics provide a wide range of services, including programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. There is a growing recognition that the college years are a time of transition in which healthy habits can be encouraged and dangerous ones, like excessive drinking, discouraged. Includes comments by Alan Glass, director of WUSTL's health and wellness center.

In New York City, Trans Fat Ban Is Working U.S. News & World Report online and 7 others July 21, 2009 -- In December 2006, New York City required that artificial trans fats be phased out of restaurant food, and the mandate was in full effect by November 2008. Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL and a past president of the American Dietetic Association, said that banning fats is not enough.

Permanent diet may equal longer life Los Angeles Times and 8 others July 10, 2009 -- Evidence has been mounting for years that the practice of caloric restriction — essentially, going on a permanent diet — greatly reduces the risk of age-related diseases and even postpones death. Now, in a much-anticipated HIH study, many of the same benefits have been demonstrated in primates, the best evidence yet that caloric restriction would help people. Includes comments by WUSTL nutritional science expert Luigi Fontana.

How to quit smoking Chicago Tribune and 1 others July 7, 2009 -- Eric Wolbert has been a non-smoker for 30 days. He quit his pack-a-day habit because he has watched cigarettes hurt too many people, including his grandparents, who died of lung cancer, he said. As part of his third attempt at quitting, Wolbert signed up for a seven-week group therapy program called "Freedom From Smoking" at WUSTL.

Bad Habits Asserting Themselves The New York Times and 3 others June 9, 2009 -- Despite the well-advertised healthy lifestyle message, healthy habits are in decline, according to an authoritative national survey on health and nutrition. WUSTL epidemiology professor Ross Brownson, who is a leading expert in chronic disease prevention, comments.

Parental Eating Habits Don't Rub Off on Kids U.S. News & World Report online and 10 others June 5, 2009 -- Parents' eating habits don't seem to influence their children's food choices as much as experts have thought, new research suggests. The findings suggest that other factors, such as peer influence and television viewing, may be more powerful influences. The results are something of a surprise, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL and past president of the American Dietetic Association.

No scars: New obesity surgery goes through mouth Associated Press and 52 others June 4, 2009 -- Doctors are testing a new kind of obesity surgery without any cuts through the abdomen, snaking a tube down the throat to snap staples into the stomach. The experimental, scar-free procedure creates a narrow passage that slows the food as it moves from the upper stomach into the lower stomach, helping patients feel full more quickly and eat less. The first U.S. procedure was done at WUSTL. WUSTL surgery professor Chris Eagon comments.

Ouch! How not to be a slave to pain MSNBC May 26, 2009 -- Top medical experts offer tips on how you can learn to control pain. Includes comments by WUSTL orthopaedic surgeon Matthew Matava.

Hypoglycemia linked to dementia Science News Web edition April 14, 2009 -- A single episode of low blood sugar severe enough to require prompt medical attention increases a person's risk of developing dementia in old age, a study in people with diabetes suggests. "This is a worrisome association," says WUSTL endocrinologist Philip Cryer. But he cautions that an association doesn't prove that one factor causes the other.

Antioxidant-Rich Foods Lose Nutritional Luster Over Time U.S. News & World Report online and 10 others April 2, 2009 -- For those who swear by antioxidant-rich food and drink, two new studies show those health benefits can wane if the products are stored for too long a time. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition at WUSTL comments.

Atkins Diet Tougher on Heart After Weight Loss U.S. News & World Report online and 13 others April 1, 2009 -- In the "maintenance" phase that occurs after initial weight loss, the popular Ornish and South Beach diets seem to be easier on the heart than the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins regimen, a new study finds. Connie Diekman, a registered dietitian and WUSTL's director of university nutrition, comments on the study.

New hope for folks with high blood pressure USA Today March 31, 2009 -- As many as 25 million people who can't beat high blood pressure no matter how many drugs they take may soon have a couple of new options, including a new kind of pacemaker that contains sensors that regulate blood pressure, according to a report by WUSTL renal specialist Marcos Rothstein.

More News:

Keeping a smoke-free New Year's resolution
Jan. 2003 - The New Year is a time when many of us make resolutions to change our lives for the better. Unfortunately, the decision to end a tobacco habit is a resolution that some smokers re-use year after year. However, with the right coaching, there's hope even for smokers who repeatedly try and fail to quit, says Edwin B. Fisher, Ph.D., professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and director of the Division for Health Behavior Research at the university's School of Medicine.

Nutritionist offers tips to make it through the NewYear without putting on pounds
Nov. 2002 - Your leftover Halloween candy is almost gone from your cupboards, and next thing you know, the holiday season with all its sweet temptations will begin. However, all those holiday parties and office gatherings laden with scrumptious food and drink don't have to mean the end of your weight loss plan. It's still possible to enjoy the bounty and not feel deprived of your favorite holiday dishes, says Connie Diekman, director of University Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis.

'Portion sizes are getting way too large and so are we,' nutritionist says
March 2002 - "You have to clean your plate before you can have dessert." How many times did we hear that growing up? But those same words that were meant to help us grow up healthy and strong are now helping to create an increasingly overweight society. It's known as "Clean Plate Syndrome" and it's leading to an obesity epidemic in America, says Connie Diekman, director of University Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis.