Publications

Via ARIS system
Via OrcID
Via Google Scholar
Via Research Gate

Education

PhD, Walden University, 2017
MS, Mississippi Valley State University, 2002
BS, Mississippi Valley State University, 1999

Professional Positions

2020-present, Research Epidemiologist, Post Doc, USDA ARS, Southeast Area Office, Delta Human Nutrition Research Program, Stoneville MS

2017-2020, Director, Delta Health Collaborative, Mississippi State Department of Health, Greenwood MS

2011-2017, Bureau Director, Delta Health Collaborative, Mississippi State Department of Health, Greenwood MS

2010-2011, Special Project Officer, Division of Dental Services, Mississippi State Department of Health, Greenwood MS

2006-2010, Program Manager, Westat, Rockville MD

1999-2006, Laboratory Technician, USDA ARS, Southeast Area, Catfish Genetics Research Unit, Stoneville MS

Research Accomplishments

Adolescent and Adult Perceptions of Their Diet Quality

Diet quality is improving in some US populations and awareness of recommendations for healthful eating may be increasing. Yet whether adolescents and adults can accurately assess their diet quality is not clear. My colleagues and I analyzed data from nationally representative samples of adolescents (16-19 years) and adults (20+ years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018.

We determined that only 12% of adolescents and 15% of adults can accurately assess the quality of their diet, most notably, those who perceive their diet as poor. Additionally, almost all adolescents and adults who inaccurately assessed their diet quality, overrated it, sometimes to a substantial degree. Although there was a positive association between diet quality and perception of one's diet, approximately 85% of adolescents and 70% of adults scored failing grades for diet quality measures. Thus, the tendency of adolescents and adults to overrate the healthfulness of their diet suggests that work is needed to educate US adolescents and adults about components of healthful dietary intake.

Food and Nutrition Security

Food security has been defined as "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life" [USDA ERS]. In contrast, nutrition security has been defined as "having consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being and prevent (and if needed, treat) disease" [Mozaffarian et al. 2021]. While these two concepts are related, similarities and differences between them are not well studied.

Photo courtesy of Artur Rutkowski at Unsplash.

Using data obtained from the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, my colleagues and I conducted an analysis to quantify and compare causal pathways from food and nutrition security to (1) dietary choice and (2) healthfulness of food choice while also testing for mediation by utilization barriers to healthful meals and limited availability of foods. We discovered that food and nutrition security impact food choices with utilization barriers acting as an intermediary step. Additionally, when environmental and household barriers to food purchasing and preparation are high, the ability to decide what to eat does not differ between households with nutrition security and those without nutrition security.

Service, Leadership & Professional Activities

Health Behavior Research, Board of Editors, 2023-present
USDA ARS Project Sync Succession Team, Member, 2021-present
Postdoc Advisory Council, Southeast Area Representative, 2020-present
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member, 2020-present
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Reviewer, 2020-present
Society for Epidemiologic Research, Member, 2014-2015
Mississippi Public Health Association, Member, 2012-2021
American Public Health Association, Member, 2009-2020

Honors, Awards, Achievement & Recognition

National Society for Leadership and Success, 2019
Emerging Leader in Environmental Public Health, CDC/NEHA/ATSDR, 2003
President Scholar, MVSU Natural Sciences & Environmental Health Department, 2002
Honor Scholar, MVSU Natural Sciences & Environmental Health Department, 1999