STRONG=Synergistic Theory and Research on Nutrition and Obesity Group
Overview
The STRONG Kids 1 research project took a comprehensive approach to the study of childhood obesity and health. Researchers across varied disciplines examined how genetic, family, community, child care, cultural, and media factors contribute to the development of childhood weight imbalance, obesity, health behaviors, and health beliefs. Findings from the project have been used to inform obesity prevention efforts and intervention programs. They also directly informed the development of the STRONG Kids 2 research project.
This program also provided extensive opportunities for undergraduate students to be involved in a large-scale research effort. Student teams delivered surveys at child care centers; collected height, weight, and saliva samples from children; participated in home observations; and assisted in data entry. Undergraduate students completed background readings and literature searches while gaining experience in project coordination.
Learn more about the STRONG Kids Program.
Research Team
Principal Investigators
- Barbara Fiese, Ph.D., Project Co-Director, Professor Emerita, Human Development and Family Studies
- Kristen Harrison, Ph.D., Professor, Communication Studies, University of Michigan
- Kelly Bost, Ph.D., Professor, Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
- Brent McBride, Ph.D., Director, Child Development Lab, Human Development and Family Studies
- Sharon Donovan, Ph.D., RD, Professor, Nutritional Sciences
Co-Investigators
- Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences
- Janet Liechty, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Social Work
- Margarita Teran-Garcia, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nutritional Sciences
- Angela Wiley, Ph.D., Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
Funding
STRONG Kids 1 was generously supported by the following units:
- Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR), Sentinel Program Seed Grant
- Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Bureau of Child Care and Development
- Office of the Provost, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois
- Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois
- Department of Communication, University of Illinois
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation