The purpose of the SUNRISE research study at OUHSC is to examine movement and nutrition behaviors measuring physical activity, sitting, and sleep for children ages 3 and 4 years old. SUNRISE is an international study (https://sunrise-study.com/) in which OU was a site leader. This study was supported by the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center.
The goal of this project is to develop a nutrition and culinary education program for the Restore Farms high school interns delivered by professional dietetic students. This project follows a Community Based Participatory Research orientation and is guided by the interns. The project is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The project is being piloted in a series of smaller workshops in advance of the longer 16-week interactive learning.
The goal of this project is to understand the inter-device reliability of skin carotenoid scores as measured by the Veggie Meter. This multi-state study will help researcher, clinicians, and community public health workers better understand the Veggie Meter. This study is support be internal funds from each institution: USDA Agriculture Research Service, University of Arkansas Health Science Center, East Carolina University, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
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This project sought to understand fruit & vegetable intake among SNAP participants and if farmers market use was associated with higher produce intake. Project is supported by ONIE.
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Dates: September 2019 – September 2020
The purpose of this project is to understand to understand the relationship between the community around an ECE and classroom health quality and barriers, by program arrangement (Head Start, community based childcare, family childcare home). This project is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-2017-ACF-OPRE-YR-1219) and the OUHSC Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: March 2020 – April 2021
The purpose of this project is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the health behaviors and wellbeing of Early Care and Education Teachers. This project is a collaborative effort with faculty from early childhood education, rehabilitation sciences, and social work. This project is supported by Dr. Sisson’s clinical operating funds.
Dates: May 2018 – May 2019
The purpose of this project is to unite the early care and education programs and the health care providers in these tribal communities in North Eastern Oklahoma to enhance quality of nutrition and physical activity by engaging classroom curriculum and family outreach. This is a collaborative project to enhance community health and we partner with the Tribal Epidemiology Center and the Wyandotte Nation and Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. This program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Southern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center
Dates: August 2019 – December 2020
The purpose of this project is to examine prevalence of food insecurity among students, staff, and faculty at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and determine need for food assistance programs on campus. This study will add to the scientific literature as well as inform campus personnel regarding prevalence of food insecurity and viable solutions. This study is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the College of Allied Health Research and Creativity Grant.
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Dates: May 2017 – May 2019
The lab collaborates on this project, lead by Dr. Valerie Bluebird Jernigan in the College of Public Health. The purpose of this project is to create healthier menus and meal times at tribally-affiliated early care and education centers. This project is supported by The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
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Dates: April 2017 – March 2022
The purpose of this project is to determine the nutrient intake of children in family child care homes and to test a local and state-wide intervention to enhance nutritional quality. This interprofesional project also aims to enhance environmental health and reduce children's exposure to chemicals in collaboration with the College of Public Health. This project is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: October 2016 – February 2018
The purpose of this project is Work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop a multi-level intervention to prevention obesity in American Indian children. The aim is to work directly with child care providers to provide support and resources to parents with key input and health care provider activities. This project is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Dates: December 2015 to May 2017
The purpose of this project is to understand Family Child Care Home provider difficulties with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and to understand ways in which technical assistance and nutrition education and training can assist healthful meals to young children. This project is a collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Education and Oklahoma Department of Human Services. This project is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: September 2015 to May 2017
The purpose of this project is to identify and conduct a network analysis of pivotal stakeholders regarding obesity prevention within Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings in Oklahoma. Additionally, gaps in policies, practices, and programs will be ascertained. The action plan will provide clear, coordinated direction in meeting ECE obesity prevention best practices, as a state. This project is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: July 2015 to October 2016
The purpose of this project is to Understand knowledge, attitude, and beliefs about obesity prevention in young American Indian children from different stakeholders perspectives. Work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop an intervention to prevention obesity in American Indian children. This project is supported by Presbyterian Health Foundation.
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Dates: April 2015 – May 2016
The purpose of this study is to interview teachers and staff and observe meal practices in child care centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This project is supported by the National Food Service Management Institute and the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: March 2013 - May 2014
The purpose of this project is to determine if different commercially available physical activity monitors can accurately classify activities of varying intensity in unilateral adults with transtibial amputation. This project is being conducted with partnership from the OUHSC Department of Rehabilitation Science. This project is supported by the OUHSC Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Dates: June 2013 - May 2014
The purpose of this project is to compare two different classroom observation tools and determine if the globally utilized Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale can identify at-risk classrooms based on the Environment Policy Assessment observation and objectively measured physical activity. This project is supported by the OUHSC Department of Nutritional Sciences and The Infants, Toddlers, Twos & Threes Center
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Dates: January 2012 - December 2014
The purpose of this project is to understand the relationship between the child care center (CCC) environment and obesity risk factors, including health factors and behaviors associated with overweight and obesity, in American Indian preschool children. Key health behaviors include body mass index percentile, dietary quality and physical activity. Thirteen Native American child care centers across the state participated in this project. This project was supported the Peggy & Charles Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
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Dates: September 2011 - May 2016
The purpose of this project is to determine if there is an association of the child care center environment on the health (height and weight ) and health behaviors (physical activity and dietary intake) of preschool children in Oklahoma. Additionally, we examined to access to outdoors, tv, and staff food behaviors. We also examined differences in food intake between childcare and home. This project is supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
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Dates: August 2010 - May 2011
The purpose of the project was to assess the nutrition and physical activity policies and practices in child care centers across the state of Oklahoma, representing each quadrant and metropolitan area. This project was supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Dates: August 2010 - May 2011
The purpose of this project was to conduct family interview to develop greater understanding around the values and practices of families regarding TV viewing, particularly in children's bedrooms, and family meals. This project was supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Dates: January 2010 - December 2010
The purpose of this project was to develop a short questionnaire which children and parents could complete that would detail all leisure time sedentary activity rather than just TV viewing. This project was supported by the OUHSC, College of Allied Health Research Seed Grant Program.